Indholdsfortegnelse for #341 17-13 i Just Bikes

MV Agusta has taken the style quotient and exclusivity of their range up a notch with the formation of a special vehicles department – Reparto Veicoli Speciali (RVS). Described as the “limited run” division of MV Agusta, RVS will be devoted to the development and production of special, limited-edition versions of existing MV Agusta motorcycles, in collaboration with the Castiglioni Research Centre (CRC) and other selected partners. The first product from RVS was launched in June and is the simply-named ‘RVS #1’. NUMBER 1 Based on MV’s Brutale 800 Dragster, the RVS #1 takes that model’s 92kW 798cc inline three-cylinder engine and manages to wring another 18kW out of it for an impressive 110kW. As well as being more powerful, MV Agusta claim this upgraded, EuroIV emissions-compliant engine is also…

This year marks 50 years since Moto Guzzi first released their V7 model. To celebrate, the Italian manufacturer has brought out a significantly updated version and added a new, limited-edition variant to the lineup. Dubbed the ‘V7 III’ the latest iteration of Guzzi’s signature transverse v-twin will be offered in familiar Stone, Special and Racer variants, but for the 50th Anniversary, a special ‘Anniversario’ model will also be available, in a numbered, limited edition of just 750 units worldwide. Appearance wise, the MY17 V7 III range is largely similar to the model that’s been Moto Guzzi’s best seller since 2009, but each 2017 variant comes with new-look graphics, a new saddle design, redesigned side covers, new indicators, wider mirrors, easier-to-access instrumentation, a new lockable screw-in fuel cap and new injector…

There’s no denying that the custom motorcycle scene has exploded in popularity in the past decade or so. Everyone, it seems, is getting on board with a custom build, from the major manufacturers all the way down to backyard enthusiasts. Of course, the aim with all these builds, no matter who’s building them, is to create something cool. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, safety isn’t. Sometimes, the desire to create something that looks great means the safety features that should be included, or even were part of the bike in its original spec, are either compromised or removed altogether. With the SMIDSY Bike Build, an initiative of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and supported by Antique Motorcycles and JUST BIKES, the goal is to produce a custom motorcycle…

Back in 2015, Winston Yeh, of the well-known, Taiwanesebased custom shop Rough Crafts, turned out ‘The Guerilla Four’. As Yeh’s first project for Yamaha’s factory-backed ‘Yard Built’ custom program, that big, XJR1300-based beast was pretty hard to top, but Yeh has done it with this latest creation. NOT ONE, BUT TWO Yeh’s latest effort for Yard Built is not one custom, but two, designed to show the versatility of Yamaha’s ‘Sport Heritage’ XSR700 platform by taking it in two different directions. The first part of this split-personality build is a café racer dubbed ‘The Corsa Scorcher’. The second takes the XSR700 in a scrambler direction and is called ‘The Soil Scorpion’. Both are the result of different treatments for things like the front end, wheels, handlebars and tyres, but the…

Newcastle’s International Supermoto is set to go up a gear in 2017, with the event to incorporate the inaugural FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship. The supermoto spectacle, to be held at the Newcastle Showground this 2-3 September, has already attracted a strong rider contingent from Australia and overseas, according to promoter, Graeme Boyd. “We have secured athletes from a dozen nations, including New Zealand, USA, Japan, France, Malaysia and Thailand. Combine this with the talent available in Australia and the FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship will be a must-see motorcycle event.” Boyd adds that the track will challenge riders and provide an exciting and entertaining spectacle for spectators, too, with access around the entire course perimeter, while big screen TV viewing will ensure none of the on-track action is missed. As well…

Tickets for Yamaha’s bLU cRU VIP Hospitality suite at this year’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix are now available. Situated trackside on Gardner Straight, Yamaha’s VIP suite is new and improved for 2017, offering grandstand seating, top views of the circuit, buffet catering with complimentary soft drinks, private cash bar, barista-made coffee and more – across all three days of the 20-22 October event. Each bLU cRU VIP Hospitality suite ticket also gets you trackside seating and an undercover lounge area, pit lane walks on all three days, parking pass (with every 4 x tickets booked), official programme and an exclusive Yamaha gift pack. Tickets are $970 each for adults (incl. GST) and $600 each for kids (under 12yo, incl. GST) and always sell out, so if you want to be…

Suzuki has released updated versions of their popular DR-Z400, with both the E and SM variants getting styling makeovers, but no mechanical changes for 2018. The DR-Z400E takes a leaf out of the RM-Z style book and now wears an all-over yellow colour scheme, highlighted with blue accents that are said to be inspired by Suzuki’s MXGP machines, while the DR-Z400SM features an all-new solid black colour scheme, with goldanodised Excel rims adding a bit of bling. Powered by a 398cc liquid-cooled, DOHC 4-stroke single-cylinder engine, both the 400E and 400SM are LAMS-approved and road-legal. The engine offers a good spread of power and plenty of torque, and is matched to a 5-speed transmission in both instances. Features that have made the DR-Z400E practical off-road continue in this latest version,…

It’s far too easy to run out of superlatives in a review of the Rallye X, but we’ll see how I go. This latest iteration of BMW’s legendary GS platform is, in my mind, the best GS ever built. But I guess I have to explain that call. I’m not a great dirt rider. I’m not even a very good one. This is despite having ridden more than my fair share of slate-cursed hills, knee-deep mud, wheel-kicking spoondrains, and rock-strewn descents that felt more like inevitable gravity-fed catastrophesin- waiting than controlled operations. I have learned many things doing this. The first is that weight is a crucial factor in serious adventure riding. You spend a day picking up a 260kg bike loaded with another 60kg of gear on some wretched…

When you think of custom choppers, first thoughts are likely to be of the USA. Sweden doesn’t immediately spring to mind, does it? But the Nordic region does have a pretty active custom scene, as evidenced by the Sportster-based custom shown here. NORTHERN MOON Along with Norway and Finland, Sweden is sometimes referred to as ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ – but in this case, maybe that should be the ‘Midnight Moon’ as this build is heavily branded with the logo of the iconic hot rod and speed equipment company. If you’re not up on Moon history, the company was started by Dean Moon in 1950, selling things like aluminium fuel and oil tanks, wheel covers and other performance parts to hot rodders and drag racers, along with more quirky…

1 THE EDGE PRODUCTS Ph: (618) 9249 5886 www.theedgeproducts.com The Edge Products export product all over the world. The Edge products have been in the business of Buggies for nearly 30 years. Although primarily a recreation buggy, the Barracuda has also had good race success. A Barracuda won the 2012 & 2013 New Zealand National Offroad Championship. Has race successes also in Peru, Israel, Australia, Finland, Abu Dhabi, Kenya & Greece. Barracuda’s are also raced nationally in Australia at club level “Suprlite” clubs in Queensland, NSW, Victotia & WA. Fitted with a Gen II Hayabusa engine the Barracuda has a higher power to weight ratio than a World Rally car. Great project for that bike engine you have sitting in the shed !! 2 UKIT PH: 0439 195 416 Ukit214@yahoo.com…

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced that the 2017 Yamaha Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) will feature a format change. The prologue, which was first added in 2012 to determine the starting order, will be dropped for this year’s Four Day. Starting positions will now be set by the rider’s performance in either the previous A4DE or recent Australian Off Road Championship (AORC) rounds. As such, riders looking to enter this year’s A4DE for the first time will need to compete in at least one of the remaining AORC rounds in order to be seeded for the event. As of this issue’s on-sale date, the only remaining AORC rounds were Kyogle NSW (Rds 9 & 10, 22-23 July) and Omeo VIC (Rds 11 & 12, 5–6 August). According to MA, the…

To celebrate the arrival of their LAMSapproved GSX250R, Suzuki Australia are offering one lucky punter the chance to win the new sports commuter. Combining sporty styling with responsive, yet easy to control engine performance, Suzuki says the new GSX250R is a package that’s equally at home on daily commutes or weekend blasts. The 248cc parallel-twin engine features a camshaft profile that delivers maximum acceleration performance between 20km/h to 90km/h, while suppressing noise and delivering a smoother, more pleasant ride. Multi-function LCD instrumentation features speedo, tacho, gear position and RPM indicator, odometer, clock, dual tripmeters, fuel gauge, and even average fuel consumption and oil change timing indicators. There’s also a programmable shift light. A 790mm seat height, slim fuel tank design and clip-on handlebars deliver what Suzuki says is a comfortable…

Honda’s MY17 CRF1000L Africa Twin is now in local dealerships, with the goanywhere adventure tourer priced from $14,999 for the Standard version. Available in Standard, ABS-equipped and a version with an automatic Dual Clutch Transmission and ABS, the new Africa Twin has found favour as an exciting road commuter, as well as a capable adventure tourer off-road. Recent product testing, held in NSW and Queensland, saw riders come away impressed with the Africa Twin’s fun factor on the road, its nimble and easy to handle chassis and its power, thanks to the 998cc, liquid cooled, 4-stroke, PGM-FI engine. MotoGP legend Daryl Beattie pushed the Africa Twin to its limits on one of his recent Adventure Tours, covering over 2,000kms of tough terrain on the Canning Stock Route from Wiluna to…

You know what a Harley-Davidson looks like: Big, burly and ridden by tough guys and gals (who are probably accountants Monday to Friday, but anyway…). So when H-D announced about four years ago that it was going after the urban/hipster rider and even learner riders with a bike measuring just 750cc and another with a mere 500cc, there was a lot of giggling to be heard. Especially when it was revealed production would take place in India! But, with more than 35,000 of them sold around the world and the 500cc version the second best-selling road bike in Australia last year, the giggling has stopped. Now there’s a new version - still Indian-made - that threatens to take the ‘Street’ series to a new level. MEET THE STREET ROD The…

Japan’s annual MOONEYES Hot Rod and Custom Show (HRCS) is at the top of most people’s bucket list of custom shows to attend as it features some of the best custom motorcycles and cars in the world. Shige Suganuma (owner of MOONEYES USA) and his crew work all year to ensure you will not be disappointed. Held at the Pacifico Exhibition Centre in Yokohama on the first Sunday in December each year, MOONEYES HRCS presents around 800 two- and four-wheel customs, with the bikes covering everything from bobbers and sports customs to old school choppers, all with one thing in common - a standard of craftsmanship and attention to detail that’ll make your eyes water. This year’s 26th MOONEYES HRCS will feature Traditional Choppers as one of the themes, but…