Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i Australian Motorcyclist

THERE AREN’T MANY towns or even villages to write about in this part of the South Island’s west coast – because there are hardly any towns or villages to be found! WESTPORT The town that links our two rides this month is one of the main centres on the west coast. Sitting at the mouth of the majestic Buller River, Westport is a major tourist destination for many New Zealanders but is mostly used as a refueling opportunity by international visitors who have either come up the coast and are turning east into the Buller Gorge, or travelling vice versa. It’s useful for that, but it offers quite a bit more as well. From the visiting motorcyclist’s point of view, everything you need in Westport lies on the main road.…

IF YOU PLAN ON RIDING a motorcycle, you’ll no doubt at some stage need to carry a little or a lotta gear. Whether that is to simply transport something over a short distance, or it’s a trip that requires you to carry several nights worth of clothes and all the other stuff to make travelling more comfortable, you’re going to need some motorcycle specific luggage to not only protect your motorcycle due to correct fitment, but to pack as neatly and compact as can be on your ride. Here’s a list of the latest and greatest on offer from the distributors that want you to know about their products. Think about that when making your purchase. SW VENTURA kenma.com.au EVO-60 Jet Stream Touring Kit - Bag Only: $279, Complete Kit:…

HAVING PROMISED to build a round-the-world (rtw) bike, I fortunately did not have to look far to find the platform. A BMW F 750 GS suggested itself both because I like it – not least because it is relatively light -- but also because I was pretty sure I’d be able to get the bits for it that I would want in order to turn it into my kind of long-distance machine. I arranged with BMW Motorrad to buy one of the cooking version bikes – they are more affordable at AU$15,385 than the up-specced F 750 GS Tour, the F 850 GS or GS Adventure. Sure, I would quite have liked some of the electronics and other goodies on the more fully specified bikes, but there were also some…

BIG BOY WHEELS PEUGEOT BELVILLE 200 WE TOLD YOU ABOUT THE recently released Peugeot Belville 200 in issue #83 and now we’ve got one as a semi-long termer. I was rather keen to get hold of the new Belville as I wanted to feel the difference a scoot with 16-inch wheels would make. As expected, the difference is simply awesome; in fact, the Belville is probably the best scooter I’ve ridden on rough city roads – gone is the banging and crashing of a lot of scooters, with the Belville giving a lot more comfort and control. I did expect a little more performance from the ‘200’ moniker and the only real difference between this and, say, a 150 scoot is the Belville does get away from the traffic lights…

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, the letters are among the most keenly read parts of the magazine. Please try and keep letters down to no more than 300 words.Then you can read many, not just a couple.We do reserve the right to cut them and, unless you identify yourself and at least your town or suburb and state, we will print your email address instead. Please address letters to contactus@ausmotorcyclist.com.au or Australian Motorcyclist Magazine, Suite 4b, Level 1, 11-13 Orion Rd, Lane Cove West NSW 2066. All opinions published here are those of the writers and we do not vouch for their accuracy or even their sanity. LETTER OF THE MONTH BEAT THE HEAT WITH SALT Peter, I was very surprised that you, a very experienced motorcyclist, got caught up…

New Zealand’s South Island has a reputation as a motorcycle wonderland. That reputation is well deserved, but – believe it or not – there is even more to it than the roads and passes we usually traverse. One side trip I had never done until quite recently was this hundred kilometre dead-end run up the coast from Westport. I have learned over the years that such runs are no less enjoyable than trips which don’t require you to turn around and retrace your wheel tracks. The reason is simple – no road looks the same or feels the same when you ride it in opposite directions. Keep in mind that there is a good chance you will encounter rain, no matter what time of year you tackle the run. But…

GONE Norton Motorcycles has gone into administration owing £300,000 in unpaid tax. Stuart Garner, the CEO of Norton also had two other companies go into administration, one of which was Priest House Hotel in Castle Donington – the place where Nortons were being produced. The administrators are taking all necessary steps to ensure that customers, staff and suppliers are supported through the administration process, however don’t expect Norton to be seen on this planet for a very long time, if ever again. Talk about a string of bad luck – or perhaps bad decisions POWERBALL WIN, A MUST What would be the first motorcycle you buy when your numbers drop in Powerball? Well, how about the Ducati Superleggara V4! The Superleggera V4 is the most powerful and technologically advanced production…

“BUT THE DEVIL WHOOPS, AS HE WHOOPED OF OLD: ‘IT'S CLEVER, BUT IS IT ART?”- THE CONUNDRUM OF THE WORKSHOPS RUDYARD KIPLING I, AS THE SAYING GOES, have good news and bad news. The good news is that the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is putting together an outstanding exhibition of motorcycles from around the world, called The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire. The exhibition is curated by renowned design curators, physicist Professor Charles M. Falco and writer and filmmaker Ultan Guilfoyle, in collaboration with QAGOMA. These are the blokes, as you will know if you follow international motorcycle exhibitions (just kidding), who curated the massively successful Guggenheim show The Art of the Motorcycle. Design, Art, Desire is not just a copy of the Guggenheim’s concept. As…

THE KAWASAKI ZED family of sports-naked motorcycles has almost every lane covered, be it slow, medium or high speed. All models in their range have commuting, sports and a little bit of touring potential taken care of. All have a common theme; they are different from their mainstream run-of-the-mill competitors, but not from each other. The ‘Z’ models share the claimed Sugomi philosophy which in Kawasaki-speak is a, “visceral experience that stimulates the sensors, where engine and chassis deliver a high level of control. It’s also evident in the sharp styling and the dynamic crouching form and distinct silhouette”. To me, it’s a complicated but aggressive look, which is as subjective as, and you could say pretty similar to, almost every modern machine in the class. In the curb-side lane…

IT HAS BEEN AN interesting handful of years for BMW Motorrad as they shift a number of their motorcycles into the more ‘sharp knife’ rather than ‘blunt axe’ category. One example of the range to become a sharp knife is the R 1250 RS – a bike that was a little bland some years ago is now a damn quick and sharp tool to have at your disposal. One thing you will have become accustom to over the years is that BMW motorcycles are full of technology and electronics. You might read a BMW sales brochure on this bike and go kind of gizmo-blind, you know, the blank look on your face when reading the one-thousand feature long list of stuff you’ve never heard of before; the R 1250 RS…

WHEN SOMEONE talks to you about a ‘Z900’ most people instantly think of the retro styled Z900RS and not the ‘regular’ Z900 which you see here. The Z900 is your bang for bucks motorcycle and its main competition is the Yamaha MT-09, with both costing virtually the same. For 2020, Kawasaki has upped the ante and added so much more for your buck. To start, the frame has been given more stiffness and to match this the forks and shock settings been revised. To complete the handling package, new Dunlop Roadsport 2 tyres grip the bitumen, although I didn’t like the feeling the front tyre gave. The exhaust has been revised to give a much more audible note and it really does sound the business for a ‘standard’ motorcycle. Kawasaki…

THE RAIN DANCE WORKED and now that the rain (and quite heavy rain) is falling, it’s time to look at your wet weather gear as it has probably fallen apart since the last time you had to use it. The following is what’s on offer from a select few of the distributors who want you to know about their wares. SW HELD BIKER FASHION  heldaustralia.com.au Rainblock Top - $160 Overjacket made from 2.5 layer stretch fabric which is breathable and featuring 2 external pockets, 1 inner pocket, Velcro closure at wrists, small pack size, Held Clip-in Technology, reflective sections -- and the jacket comes with a carry bag. Available in sizes S-5XL and colours Blk/Wht or Blk/Flu Yel. Rainblock Pants - $160 Overpants made from 2.5 layer stretch fabric which…

ADVENTURE BETTER! The guys at Motorrad Tours know a thing or two when it comes to travelling on a motorcycle. In this series, (this being the first of a few to come), they share their knowledge and experience to help you get the most from your next trip. There’s a real romance to just grabbing your keys, ramming a toothbrush into the tailpack and heading for the horizon. The freedom of just escaping without a plan is something that gets us through many a slow Wednesday afternoon in the office. But even if that’s your approach, while you’re grabbing a coffee you can be researching hotels or finding the best riding roads. When it comes to planning for a trip, the more you put in, the more you’ll get out.…

EVERYONE KNOWS THE Triumph Rocket III; originally launched back in 2004, the megalodon-sized two wheeled muscle machine with the massive triple cylinder engine stuffed between your legs. If you’ve ridden one, you’ll know that you have excellent flexibility because you have performed gymnastics better than a gold medal Romanian Olympic gymnast just to stretch yourself around that massive engine. Roll on the many different versions of the Rocket III over the years and into 2020, when we have the release of the new Triumph Rocket 3 R and GT models. Yes, gone are the three ‘Is’, replaced by a more sensible, number ‘3’ in the title. Even if you’re remotely interested in the Rocket 3, you’ll know from the numerous dribbles of information distributed since the bike was first teased last…

EVERY NOW AND THEN, you read or see something and the Choir Invisible commences singing in the background. That something is something that you really, really must get to know, or have or experience. The prime example in my life, where motorcycling is concerned, was the Kawasaki Turbo. I saw a picture of the prototype in a magazine (the interwebs were only dreamed of back then) and called Kawasaki Motor Australia. I told the then marketing manager, Roger Young, that I wanted the first one to hit Australian wharves. He regretfully informed me that that one was gone, but I could have the second one. What does that have to do with travel? Simple. I saw the details of the Compass Wild Patagonia tour and got the same itch I’d…

PRICE: $10,499 plus on roads WARRANTY:Two years, unlimited distance SERVICING INTERVALS: Every 12,000km or 12 months ENGINE: Liquid-cooled parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder BORE x STROKE: 83mm x 60mm DISPLACEMENT: 649cc COMPRESSION: 10:8:1 POWER: 37.8kW @ 8000rpm TORQUE: 59Nm @ 6500rpm TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, chain drive SUSPENSION: Front, fully adjustable telescopic fork, travel 125mm. Rear, monoshock, adjustable preload, travel 130mm. DIMENSIONS: Seat height 790mm, weight 187kg (wet), fuel capacity 15 litres, wheelbase 1410mm TYRES: Front 120/70/ZR17. Rear 160/60/ZR17 FRAME:Tubular steel BRAKES: Front dual discs 300mm with four-piston radial ABS calipers. Rear disc 220mm, single piston ABS caliper FUEL CONSUMPTION: 4.1 litres per 100km, premium unleaded THEORETICAL RANGE: 365km COLOURS: Metallic Spark Black, Pearl Blizzard White/Metallic Spark Black VERDICT: IN OR OUT OF THE LEARNER LANE.…

PRICE: $28,215 (plus on-road charges) WARRANTY:Two years, unlimited distance SERVICING INTERVALS: Every 10,000km or 12 months ENGINE:Air/liquid-cooled flat twin cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder BORE x STROKE: 102.5 x 76mm DISPLACEMENT: 1254cc COMPRESSION: 12.5:1 POWER: 100kW @ 7750rpm TORQUE: 143Nm @ 6250rpm TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, shaft final drive SUSPENSION: Front, 45mm inverted fork, electronically adjustable, travel 140mm. Rear, monoshock, electronically adjustable, travel 140mm. DIMENSIONS: Seat height 820mm, weight 243kg (wet), fuel capacity 18 litres, wheelbase 1530mm TYRES: Front, 120/70/ZR17. Rear, 180/55/ZR17 FRAME:Tubular steel BRAKES: Front, twin 320mm discs with radial mount four-piston adjustable ABS calipers. Rear, 276mm disc, two-piston adjustable ABS caliper. FUEL CONSUMPTION: 6.16 litres per 100km, premium unleaded THEORETICAL RANGE: 292km COLOURS:Auston Yellow Metallic VERDICT: RAZOR SHARP…

PRICE: $12,599 (plus on-road charges) WARRANTY:Two years, unlimited distance SERVICING INTERVALS: Every 12,000km or 12 months ENGINE: Liquid-cooled in-line four cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder BORE x STROKE: 73.4 x 56mm DISPLACEMENT: 948cc COMPRESSION: 11.8:1 POWER: 92.2kW @ 9500rpm TORQUE: 98.6Nm @ 7700rpm TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet multi-plate assist/slipper clutch, chain final drive SUSPENSION: Front, 41mm inverted fork, adjustable preload and rebound, travel 120mm. Rear, monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound, travel 140mm. DIMENSIONS: Seat height 820mm, weight 212kg (wet), fuel capacity 17 litres, wheelbase 1455mm TYRES: Front, 120/70/ZR17. Rear, 180/55/ZR17 FRAME:Tubular steel BRAKES: Front, twin 300mm discs with four-piston ABS calipers. Rear, 250mm disc, single-piston ABS caliper. FUEL CONSUMPTION: 6.09 litres per 100km, premium unleaded THEORETICAL RANGE: 279km COLOURS: Metallic Graphite Gray/ Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat…

WHEN THE JANUARY fires hit the Upper Murray, Australians swung into action mode, doing what they could do, donating what they could afford. As orders were given to evacuate towns and villages, many chose to stay behind to fight and protect their dwellings and their property. One of the groups which stayed without exception was the publicans. And they fought to keep their hotels open - not for business, not making a quid, but to act as pubs have always done, as the hub of the community effort, the place for town meetings and for drop-offs of supplies and of equipment like generators and chainsaws. These pubs struggle at the best of times. Now that most of the roads are open they need help. The rains that ended the fires…

LIFE IS not fair, but a Fair can be passing fair… if you know what I mean. INTERMOT, the biennial motorcycle fair in Cologne, is stepping up the battle for top show. The idea is to set new standards in the international market for motorcycle trade fairs, explains Christoph Werner, Vice President of the organiser, Koelnmesse. “The forthcoming event from 6 to 11 October 2020 will complete the necessary transformation from a simple exhibition to a theme-based and trend-led trade fair event. The concept’s key pillars are more reach, more target groups, more networking.” “Together with the German Motorcycle Industry Association, which acts as INTERMOT’s conceptual sponsor, and the market leaders represented here, we have developed a strong concept for the necessary redesign of INTERMOT and one that will set…