Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 156 i Australian Road Rider

"IT’S A LOT EASIER TO PLAY FOOTBALL THAN IT IS TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE LEGALLY" The barriers to becoming a road-riding motorcyclist these days are huge: onerous licensing requirements, years of restrictive rules and costs which many youngsters can’t bear, along with about a million other popular activities which didn’t exist when us oldies started riding. To attract more youngsters to riding, the industry needs to remove some of the barriers. We can do this by improving access to machinery, experience, advice and other riders. You have to be pretty committed to bother putting up with three years on P-plates, the inability to carry a pillion passenger, no access to your phone while riding, and multiple days of enforced training just for the right to spend heaps of dosh on…

With sporty styling, a Variable Valve Actuation-equipped motor and a price drop to just $4799 ride away, the new Yamaha R15 deserves to make lots of youngsters into motorcyclists. The compact machine, weighing in at just 138kg, is small, light, easy to ride and stylish, yet inexpensive to buy and cheap to run. Powering the machine is a simple 155cc single-cylinder four-stroke motor. The engine, airbox and muffler have all been extensively updated for 2020, with the engine producing 18 per cent more power from just a three per cent increase in capacity. It produces enough power to easily keep up with traffic flows while sipping fuel slowly — Yamaha claims around 45km per litre! There’s also an assist and slipper clutch standard. The chassis will provide good handling thanks…

Motorcycle supercharging presents many difficulties. Issues include packaging, heat management, durability, fuel economy and emission compliance. Aftermarket specials tick off solutions to some of these, the H2 ticks them all. To understand the size of the achievement, I’ll put on my engineer’s hat and look at the details. Modern motorcycles deliver sophisticated packaging solutions. Components fit into the smallest possible space. This allows more weight distribution and ergonomic options. If you look at a typical four-cylinder bike, there’s nowhere to accommodate a supercharger and its ductwork. Consequently, engineers must create space for quite a bit of stuff. There’s also a need to minimise the heat impact of burning more fuel. This is an issue for high-powered bikes in general and problematic with supercharging. A bike that rides like a Weber…

R 1250 RS: $23,320 + Government Charges Available only in Black Storm Metallic, the standard R 1250 RS for Australia features BMW Motorrad ABS, ASC (stability control), riding modes, TFT Connectivity Display, adjustable levers, one keylock system, engine spoiler and the Comfort Package: chrome exhaust, heated grips and tyre pressure monitoring. R 1250 RS Sport: $29,185 + Government Charges The model we tested, the Sport, is only available in Austin Yellow Metallic, with a white frame, silver anodised fork tubes, gold brake calipers and a stainless engine spoiler. The Sport additions include: HP Exhaust, chrome exhaust headers and Pure tank cover, the Touring Package (Dynamic ESA, keyless ride, GPS mount, cruise control, centre stand, pannier mounts and a luggage rack) and the Dynamic Package (daytime running lights, white LED indicators,…

As one of the most populous and financially successful countries in South-East Asia, Vietnam has gone from flat broke when it threw out the Western forces in the 1970s to now providing one of the highest standards of living of any country in the region. A part of that comes from tourism — the county is beautiful, safe and awesome to ride, which might explain why your ARR editor has toured there twice. When I was given to opportunity to do an adventure ride on a modern big-bore, it wasn’t a journey to miss. Tuan Nguyen has moved on from the early days of offering Soviet Minsk and Indian Royal Enfields to tourists and now runs the only tour company we know of in Vietnam offering BMW GS models. With…

Suzuki DL650 V-Strom – from $10,990+ORC Bigger, heavier and more expensive, where the CB500X is a small bike with a mid-capacity motor, the V-Strom is a big bike with a small motor. Very capable, very popular, much-loved and bloody good. BMW G 310 GS - from $8,199 Ride Away With its single cylinder powerplant but less weight, the smallest BMW GS is another great example of a small all-roads bike. Nicely equipped and worth a look. Kawasaki Versys X-300 - $6,599+ORC Two pots and a similar target audience to the Honda, the smallest Versys has a screamer of an engine and a capable chassis. We like the standard rack and spoked wheels.…

THE SINGLES Suzuki’s DR650, the Kawasaki KLR650 and the SWM adventure bikes all run simple single-cylinder designs seemingly as old as motorcycling itself, and you can buy one for under 10K – but it’s likely it’ll take a bit more to be ready for the big tour. The singles make are a smart choice, but often a boring one, especially over long distances at highway speeds, on bitumen or gravel. KTM 790 ADVENTURE R The latest and greatest from the company which defines itself by its off-road prowess and racing success. More powerful and much-more high tech than the Yamaha, and a lot more expensive. BMW F 850 GS More adventure, less dual purpose, although the 850 GS is BMW’s most off-road focussed GS it has ever built, it weighs…

Somewhere in the annals of time, a fastidious clean freak realised they could go further than just washing their bike, they could detail it. They would get into the nitty-gritty and make the machine look like it had just rolled out of the showroom. It kind of spoilt all the fun for the rest of us, because now we know how nice it is to have a great-looking bike, and how it will be worth more and be easier to sell when the time comes. But bike detailing isn’t for everyone — in fact, I hate it. So much so that I’ve developed a few tricks to make it easier. Despite that, doing it well is a time-consuming affair, there’s no getting away from that. I recently returned from a…

Kriega’s range of tailpacks allows you to carry a decent amount of gear without modifying your bike, adding an ugly rack or carrying it on your back. I’ve been using the US-20 tailpack for years and it’s still in great condition, despite being strapped to numerous test bikes over time. Essentially the US-model tailpacks are roll-top bags made from a tough outer with a waterproof liner. The innovative design makes them easy to strap onto almost any rear seat, and they can also be used as tankbags (with the optional converter) and courier bags (the larger models are supplied with should and waist straps). Available in four sizes, from five to 30 litres, the US tailpacks can also be used together to increase carrying capacity. Each bag has clips and…

LOOKING BACK VALE BERTRAND At Easter we lost one of Australia’s great motorcycling characters, Bertrand Cadart. A larger-than-life Frenchman who came to Australia in the 1970s, he built La Parisienne fairings, was a radio host, council mayor, the importer of Fournales Suspension and even an actor, his most famous role being that of Clunk in Mad Max. None of those things points to how he was an all-round nice guy, the life of any party he was invited to, and someone who wanted to leave the world a better place than he found it. Born in 1948 in France, he rode to Australia in 1972 after serving with the French military. Among the trio who arrived with him was Jack Burger, who created Gearsack, the luggage of choice in Australia…

KTM is further developing its sub-1000cc parallel twin range with its biggest, toughest model yet, the 890 Duke R, and it’s at a very keen price: $17,195+ORC, so well under 20K on the road. That’s Supersport pricing for a 121hp machine with top-shelf suspension, brakes and components, which could make it the bargain of the year, at least for new-model releases. A naked sportsbike built for both street and track, KTM is claiming the new bike has the performance to put the frighteners up many bigger bikes thanks to its decent power output pushing a dry weight of just 166kg. R IS FOR RACE… KTM doesn’t stick the R moniker on every bike it builds, leaving it for special race-developed machines. Currently there’s only the 1290 Super Duke R and…

Australia’s unprecedented summer of bushfires had a devastating impact on many thousands of people, matched only by the unprecedented financial and other support from the rest of the country. As a nation, we’re good at helping out folk who really need it. It happens at the micro level too. Four months ago I was diagnosed with lung cancer, perhaps not unexpected after a lifetime of heavy smoking. I had a tumour the size of Tasmania in my left lung and the initial prognosis was not great. But I’ve always been a lucky guy and the good news after countless tests was that the cancer had not spread to any other part of my body. A plan was hatched to undergo nine weeks of chemotherapy in an effort to reduce the…

The premium Hypernaked class has several options. The variety of designs from manufacturers to reach the same end point of nuclear performance is impressive. They’re all winners. It comes down to which one the buyer is drawn to. Here’s a quick alphabetic summary of the choices. APRILIA TUONO FACTORY MotoGP soundtrack from fabulous V4 engine, assisted by superb electronic package. It features top shelf Swedish electronic suspension in a super agile frame. BMW S1000R SPORT German interpretation of the Japanese four cylinder “standard” - with BMW premium features. It offers top gun performance with a three-year warranty… and … an options list. DUCATI STREETFIGHTER V4 Exciting new arrival to the class with exotic V4 engine and superbike power output. Ducati’s chassis knowhow is a given and should provide fun and…

MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso: $32,590 ride away You might think an 800 can’t compete with a 1250, but with 110 horsepower and pushing only 192kg, MV’s Turismo Veloce has plenty of sports-touring performance. Standard panniers, LED lights, semi-active suspension, heated grips and a centre stand are all standard. Yamaha Tracer GT: $20,349 ride away Three pots, a protective fairing and a reasonably upright riding position make this MT-09-based machine great for touring while still offering decent sports performance. Full-colour TFT instruments, quick shift, cruise control and standard panniers. Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX: $17,199 + ORC Kawasaki’s 2020 Ninja 1000SX is now in its fourth generation and offers lots of performance, technology and versatility for a low price. Sportier than most of the bikes in this line-up yet still with reasonable…

There’s no getting away from the fact that some adventure bikes are big enough to come with their own postcodes. What grew out of making a road bike more dirt suitable has become a plethora of machines from 250cc to 1290cc. And how extreme do you want your adventure bike to be? One bellwether has been wheels — can an adventure bike have a front wheel smaller than 19in and should it be wire-spoked, not cast alloy? Like so many things, what works for one rider might not work for another. Honda seems to have decided its CB500X is attractive to adventure bike riders, because the company has upped the front wheel size from 17 to 19in among the changes, which will make it better on a loose surface. But…

International tourism is pretty well sunk for ages to most locations, so Get Routed, the decades-old bike shipping company, will be concentrating on New Zealand this coming summer, because that’s the place most likely to open-up soonest. “I’ve heard that Tourism Ministers for NZ and Australia are concentrating their efforts on Trans-Tasman tourism. I have no doubt that Europe & America will be the last place on people’s minds for a holiday,” said Dave Milligan, the owner of Get Routed. Costs to take bikes to NZ and back: $2173 per bike and $3673 for bikes longer than 2.3 metres. A BMW R 1250 GSA is a $2173 bike with the rear rack removed. Get Routed will be loading containers of bikes in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne early in 2021, provided…

Puttering into Poreč on a peppy candy-apple-red Vespa scooter, cobbled streets led me onto a tiny piazza shaded by date palms and myrtles. A welcoming line of gelato sellers and outdoor cafes was set out under awnings, brilliant beneath a warm pencil of October sunlight. In the harbour, elegant schooners and mega-yachts and old wooden fishing boats bobbed gently in a Hockney-blue Adriatic sea. "THE ICONIC LITTLE VESPA SEEMED A PERFECT METAPHOR FOR THE LAID-BACK MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE…" I locked my helmet in the rear topbox and feeling as carefree as Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, I slung my jacket over my shoulder and set out to explore the cosy Croatian town’s warren of narrow alleys on foot as the rest of the group buzzed in behind me. As a lad…

I’ve had this 2017-model BMW R 1200 GS since the end of 2016 and it’s now clocked 50,000km without a hiccup. As I write this I’ve recently returned from a charity ride to Tassie, (Ed: ARR received Andrew’s submission as the COVID-19 lockdowns were starting…) where fabulous corners and amazing scenery await motorcyclists. It was great to be in the company of generous motorcyclists. The ride to and from Melbourne was also great. I managed to utilise most Alpine motorcycle roads and especially the Oxley Highway between Wauchope and Walcha on our way back from our homes in Queensland. It took a while but I managed to remove the many thousand kamikaze bugs that coated every forward-facing surface before photographing the bike. I’ve modified my tool roll to accommodate the…

"IN 2021 THERE WILL BE NEW VERSIONS OF THE 750s AND 850s IN NEW COLOURS…" Late this year you’ll be able to buy the 2021 BMW 40th Anniversary BMW GS models. It was way back in 1981 when BMW kick-started the adventure bike trend with the R80G/S and today the GS models make up more than half of BMW Australia’s motorcycle sales across a huge range, from 650s to 1250s. In 2021 there will be new versions of the 750s and 850s in new colours — including 40th Anniversary colours — with upgraded standard equipment and new optional equipment. All models now have new LED flashing turn indicators as standard and a USB charging device at the front right of the cockpit. ABS Pro and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) are…

BMW has combined heritage with technology to create its new cruiser platform for the future, all based around the biggest horizontally-opposed motorcycle engine ever built. Priced from $26,890, the first batch should be arriving around the time you read this (September), although the first batch will be better featured and priced from $31,690. The new motor is not only the biggest twin from BMW, it’s the biggest motorcycle twin from Europe, coming in at 1802cc and only eclipsed by the three-cylinder Triumph Rocket III. Heritage features include classic styling typical of BMWs from the ‘50s and ‘60s, an exposed shaft drive, hidden suspension and laced wheels. High-tech features include reverse assist, so pushing your bike around the garage might become a thing of the past. There’s grunt, too — 150Nm…

BMW shocked the world with its first RS model, back in the 1970s, producing a fully-faired machine that was comfortable, fast and handled well. The current RS still ticks those boxes, and it does so really, really well. This model we rode is the Sport variant, which really means it comes with the Austin Yellow paint and various styling differences and equipment levels compared to the standard model and the Exclusive, the three models in the range (2019’s Spezial model has been dropped). If you’d like a distinctive look, there are the 719 Option accessories available. The Sport is, in many mays, the top of the range, with the highest level of standard equipment and electronics. As such it’s fast, capable and can be ridden all day without a masseuse…

I’m awoken by the sound of small motorcycles buzzing up and down the road outside our hotel. Out the front gate and over the road is a beach with vendors selling coconuts and other local delicacies under palm trees and five kilometres of beach to walk. But we’re here to ride motorcycles in chaotic, enchanting, beguiling India. We’d landed in Kochi, a Southern Indian city of 3.5 million people, the night before to ride through the jungles and forests of Kerala and Tamil Nadu with four couples, all good friends. Dan Benster, an ex-pat pom, and his Indian partner Niaz run Kerala bike tours and have planned a 12-day ride on venerable Royal Enfields. Parked under a marquee are six late-model Royal Enfields. All 500cc but different model derivatives. There’s…

All-terrain riders have been waiting for this bike since news of its production became public in 2017… It’s been a long wait. In that time, there have been new (or upgraded) 21in wheel bikes from KTM, BMW and Triumph. You could think Yamaha has missed the boat, and the bike currently being delivered is dated. So has it gone stale while in transit to dealerships? Before I answer that, I think it’s worth touching on Yamaha’s philosophy with the Ténéré name. It’s always been less about pointy-edge performance and more about endurance; the production bikes are more Paris to Vladivostok than Paris to Dakar. Endurance is about reliability, comfort and enough performance to do the job — qualities the Ténérés have always had in abundance. I can attest to this…

I think it’s pretty safe to say that when we go riding in the countryside, the last thing we want to do is chug down a bland strip of bitumen dodging lane wanderers and getting blown sideways by barrelling B-doubles. Many of us with the grey evidence of years will recall the Old Hume Highway (OHH) with a mixture of vague nostalgia and pure disgust. When I started solo interstate drives in my little Ford Escort back in the early ’80s, battling the Hume was not something to look forward to. It was narrow, twisty and in shamefully decrepit condition and I still shiver at the memory of several close calls. In August 2013, the $250 million Holbrook bypass signalled the final act of duplication and now we have the…

Various studies over the years have shown riding is good for mental health, with motorcyclists reporting they feel better and more able to face the world. At a time when so many Australians have seen their world turned upside down, we thought it was appropriate to offer up some ideas on how you can ride bikes without spending too much. CAR VS BIKE Do you live in one of Australia’s big cities? If so, you probably have access to decent public transport (where no one can effectively social distance) and maybe even a car-sharing service like GoGet, Flexicar or Car Next Door. These services operate by charging members hourly and distance travelled fees, with the vehicle itself parked in its dedicated spot near where you live. They are most common…