Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 30 i Australian Adventure Bike

ACME DYNAMITE Where the heck in the world are we here? It looks like somewhere out of a Road Runner cartoon. But it’s actually Namibia — and what a stunning, and challenging, setting it made for the latest BMW GS Trophy Challenge. AAB columnist Miles Davis was in Namibia to act as event marshal once again, and he’ll be writing a story on the event for the next issue of AAB. Stay tuned! WET BEHIND THE EARS Temperatures went through the roof on the long run from Darwin to Broome on the recent BMW Safari GS Enduro ride. So it’s only reasonable riders would want to dive in at the deep end at each and every river crossing … only some riders — and their bikes — dived deeper than…

The wraps have come off the 2025 edition of Husqvarna’s Norden 901 Expedition. Updates to the bike are modest but include new colours and graphics, a revised exhaust system that’s Euro 5 compliant, new USB-C port on the left side of the dashboard, new hazard warning system integrated with the handlebar switchgear and revised cornering-sensitive traction control that allows ten levels of adjustable rear wheel slip in Explorer mode. Meanwhile, the Norden 901’s 889cc parallel-twin engine continues and delivers 105hp peak power and 100Nm of torque. The motor is carried as a stressed member in the chrome-moly steel frame, while WP XPLOR components deliver 240mm of wheel travel at each end of the bike. A touring windshield, heated grips and seat, centrestand, side bag set and heavy-duty skid plate are…

Western Sydney’s aspiring motor mechanics will learn to be masters of their trade at TAFE NSW with the help of a brand-new motorcycle donated by Kawasaki Motors Australia. The rise in popularity of motorcycles underscores the need for a continuous pipeline of skilled motorcycle mechanics to meet the growing demand. As the only TAFE NSW campus in the Western Sydney region offering the Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology, the Mount Druitt campus serves as the primary training hub for aspiring motorcycle mechanics. Kawasaki Motors Australia is honoured to offer these learners access to a brand-new Kawasaki KV230 Stockman and support their training as future motorcycle technicians.…

Yamaha has smashed open the piggy bank to create what might just rank as Australia’s ultimate Ténéré 700 World Raid, by throwing a catalogue of GYTR kit parts at a very special promotional bike. Working with the local Shop.Yamaha parts division, Yamaha Motor Australia’s fully loaded World Raid was built in time to go on display at the recent Australian MotoGP event at Phillip Island. Since then the bike has being doing the rounds of dealers and events to give Ténéré fans the chance to get a close-up look at the GYTR parts, which have been developed in conjunction with the European-based Yamaha Ténéré Experience race team and riders Pol Tarres and Alessandro Botturi. All the GYTR parts can be special-ordered through local Yamaha dealers, but be warned: make sure…

How’s the serenity? Bloody unreal, thanks, when you’re standing smack dab in the middle of nowhere of outback Queensland, just north of the Warri Gate border crossing between Tibooburra and Noccundra. There is just nothing out there, nothing but silence and the occasional tumbleweed rolling across the barren, stony wilderness. It’s excellent, and I just love it. But then there’s a rumble in the distance, mated with a speck of dust on the horizon. The solitude is well and truly broken as the noise gets louder and closer. And then one dust cloud becomes visible as two, as a pair low-flying T7s decked out in full rally-adventure spec fast dominate the landscape. It’s Rocket Rod and his long-time ‘water-boy’ Dicko, and they are dead-set motoring, which is just the way…

How good are text messages? No, not dodgy messages trying to get you to click a link from a Nigerian scammer. I mean text messages from a mate asking you to go for a ride. A real big ride. “Hey Rodney, how about we get a couple of these new Ténéré World Raids from Yamaha and we ride them across Australia?” It was the initial pitch from Adam Riemann from Motology Films, who is a bloke you will know if you’ve ever tuned in to YouTube for an online dose of adventure bike riding action. Adam’s a former moto magazine editor who has moved into digital content creation. His YouTube channel now has over 850,000 subscribers and his movies are watched by millions of ADV enthusiasts around the world. His…

I’ve done a lot of miles on a lot of different Ténérés over the years, but I’ll still make the call that this Ténéré 700 World Raid is the best Ténéré Yamaha has ever delivered. In my mind, Ténérés have always been about covering big miles with absolutely minimum aggravation. And on that count the World Raid scores gold stars all the way. The World Raid simply eats up big-mile rides, and nowhere was this more evident than on our trip this issue out to far west NSW and Queensland. Through 3600km in seven days, the World Raid never raised a sweat or missed a beat. Perfect. THE BOY SCOUT MOTTO Being prepared for a big trip is key, and our World Raid had some 11,200km on its odo before…

Riding gear has come such a long way in the past few decades and particularly when it comes to the protection it offers. Back in the day, foam padding inserts on the shoulders, elbows and chest of a jacket or jersey were considered the ultimate in protection. But one hit with the ground would quickly dispel that theory. Nowadays the choice of riding gear on offer and the protective qualities it provides is mind spinning. There are endless options and combinations of safety gear available to a motorcycle rider. While I’m not going to tell you what is right and wrong to wear, I will suggest that you consider as many things as possible such as riding experience, climate, terrain, frequency and even motorcycle type to help you make a…

The Nolan N70-2 X helmet is a versatile helmet that allows you to switch from full face to open face, with peak or without peak, and from road helmet to adventure helmet. All up there’s a total of eight different configurations, which is quite unique. Made in Italy, this Lexan polycarbonate helmet looks great and is exceptionally comfortable. I wear XL and it fitted nicely on the noggin, with plush and supportive interior padding that removes for washing. In full dual-sport configuration, it is not the lightest helmet on the market, nor is it the heaviest, but with the amounts of practical features built in, that’s understandable. Exceptional visibility is possibly the most impressive and noticeable feature of the N70-2 X. The super-wide visual field gives you an expansive view…

Isn’t it weird how the world goes into slow motion when you’re about to have ‘a big one’? When Skippy the bush kangaroo jumped from a ledge on the right side of the road, I can recall what happened in the next few milliseconds as clear as day, frame by frame. Skip bounced once, then bounced again, coming straight at me from about two o’clock high. I steeled myself and thought, Brace for impact, this is gonna be bad! I hit the brakes and gripped the World Raid’s bars like an Olympic weightlifter. And as the roo came across my flank, he smashed straight into my high front guard, snapping the plastic piece clean off! And that was it. He went over the front wheel, and went past the front…

After the disappointment of being dropped from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, Aussie dirtbike gun Toby Price has rebounded and secured his place on the start line for the 2025 Dakar Rally. And how’s this? Pricey will be racing on four wheels, and his co-driver/navigator will be none other than his former KTM teammate Sam Sunderland. Price and Sunderland, who have each won two Dakars on bikes, have signed on with the Belgian Overdrive Racing off-road team and will race a Toyota Hilux in the gruelling event. “I am super excited to announce that we’ll be on the start line for the 2025 Dakar Rally,” said Price. “Teaming up with Overdrive Racing in a T1+ car is a dream come true, and an opportunity that I am really…

Edelweiss Bike Travel are not described as the experts in global motorcycle touring for nothing, as they’ve been leading guided motorcycle tours worldwide for more than 40 years. And they’re far from done! With the 2025 tour season clicking top gear, Edelweiss has the throttle to the stops leading tours to exotic destinations all around the world. And on an Edelweiss tour you can be assured of being thoroughly looked after the whole way, from routing, to navigation, to bike hire, to accommodation, to eating and drinking, to support crew — the lot! Edelweiss has been including dedicated adventure tours on their schedule for years, and these specific rides include big-ticket destinations such as Patagonia, Namibia, the Himalayas, Dubai, Iceland, Mongolia, Scandinavia, Alaska, Europe and more. If it was us,…

The fifth annual Husqvarna Trek treated Husqvarna 701 Enduro, Norden 901 and Norden 901 Expedition riders to five days and over 1500km exploring fantastic adventure country on the NSW South Coast. Riders enjoyed a vast array of terrain, with the majority of each day’s routes focused on as much off-road riding as possible. Weather conditions proved challenging in the lead-up to the event, with extreme winds causing fallen trees to become a hazard throughout the week. This just showcased the pioneering Husqvarna spirit of the crew, with lead riders and support staff ensuring each day’s route was checked prior to the riders traversing each section. Along with the outstanding route, riders were able to immerse themselves in the adventure experience with full support offered by the Husqvarna Australia team —…

Aussie off-road ace Daniel Sanders has made a spectacular return to the KTM fold, scoring a big win first time out with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing at the Rallye du Maroc in Morocco. Sanders has been drafted into the KTM rally squad alongside Dakar Rally champ Luciano Benavides, and the Aussie hit top form right away by dominating the Morocco race to take his second career World Rally Raid Championship round victory. Victories on stages three and four of the event meant Sanders was able to cruise through the fifth and final day of competition to win by a whopping 11 minutes over Monster Energy Honda HRC rider Tosha Schareina. Benavides finished third, a further ten minutes back from Schareina. “I’m so pleased with how the whole rally has…

It began with eight years of anticipation, filled with dreams that lingered between family catch-ups and holiday chats, waiting for the perfect moment to materialise. But this wasn’t just any adventure. It was a ride into the mystical Himalayas, and a chance to conquer not just mountain passes but long-held dreams. It was a celebration of life, marking my dad’s 60th birthday in a way that could only be described as extraordinary. LET THE CHAOS BEGIN Our journey kicked off in the way only grand adventures do — with a touch of chaos. Our 12-hour flight from Melbourne to Delhi was delayed and unsettling when a passenger onboard suffered a seizure. Delhi then greeted us with its utter chaotic rhythm. We crammed into an undersized taxi, dodging hotel scams in…

There’s nothing like having a deadline to make things happen and get things done. Which was precisely the case with prepping the CFMOTO 450 MT to be ready for this issue’s trip out to far west NSW and Queensland. Graphics, tyres, gearing and luggage all had to be sorted in double-quick time to be ready for the ride … and we also had to find a pilot for the bike! Last things first, my old mate and longtime wingman Lance ‘Russ’ Turnley just so happened to be free on the week of the ride, so as soon I offered him a Chinese banquet through the Aussie outback, he was on it: “I’m in!” Russ barked, “and I’ll even bring the sweet and sour sauce and chopsticks!” Deal done, mate. And…

It’s amazing how the use of brakes can vary so much, especially when riding off-road. ‘Brake feel’ is a term you hear quite a bit, and it’s something a lot of riders started learning on bicycles. I remember my first bike with a front brake: you learn pretty quickly that it can bite! Learning how to ride a motorcycle can be quite a daunting prospect. You see, bikes are funny things: unlike driving a car, it’s up to a rider to separate and blend front and rear brake applications. That’s where some good training can make a difference, and ABS can definitely be a good idea for many riders. Continually developing and actively practising braking skills is the ideal way to make sure your braking skills and brake feel are…

Who doesn’t love a little bling in their life? Plenty of us dirtbike riders crave the stuff! For many, there’s nothing better than bolting on a bunch of cool hard parts and accessories to your machine so you can enjoy the benefits of less weight, better strength, improved protection and smoking good looks. The Japanese Dirt Freak group is home to the brands Zeta and DRC and they make some of the best bling products you will find this side of a factory race team’s workshop, as well as stacks of trick specialist tools for working on motorcycles. A big box of Zeta products recently arrived at AAB HQ, and it was filled with goodies for us to try on the AAB/MAD-TV Honda CRF300 Rally that has since found a…

Absolutely anything is possible when there’s a necessity. Take American rock climber Aaron Ralston, who a few years ago got his arm stuck between two large rocks while canyoning in Utah. He was alone and trapped for 127 hours, so the decision became pretty simple: either hack off his arm with a pocket knife or die. He’s still around, and I hear he’s quite adept with chopsticks now! I’ve been stuck out in the bush a couple of times, low on water, but fortunately I never reached the point where I considered drinking my own piss. So there I was, cruising along a 200km stretch of dirt road at freeway speeds, heading toward Menindee in outback NSW on a 450 single! WTF! At the risk of sounding dramatic, a couple…

The past 12 months have been a roller coaster ride for the Pierer Mobility Group, owner of the KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas motorcycle brands. KTM’s share price has slid significantly, massively reducing the value of the company on paper and leading to staff lay-offs and racing cutbacks, while the Austrian firm has also moved to admit there has been an engine issue with some of its 790 and 890 machines over recent years. On the upside however, KTM continues to reveal a raft of new models, which in the ADV world have included an all-new 1390 Adventure R and S range that’s set to offer auto/manual transmission, as well as the long-awaited new 390 Adventure R. The new 390 has been on the hotplate for years and was finally confirmed…

Vagabond Moto is a new adventure touring operation headed by Max Smith and Jackson Manteit, who are two of the driving forces behind Adventure Moto. They’re launching their new tour business in real style in 2025 with a range of bespoke five-, nine- and 12-day guided and supported tours, along with a big daddy organised ride called the Big Bore Six Day. The ride is scheduled for May 3 to 9, and entry in the Big Bore Six Day features six days of riding, seven nights of accommodation, welcome and farewell dinners, fuel, meals and full support. The ride will kick off from the NSW Hunter Valley and then complete a massive loop of southern NSW before wrapping up on the NSW South Coast, while special guests will include YouTube…

Ducati has unveiled its 2025-model Multistrada V4 range, which includes V4, V4S and Pikes Peak models that are expected to go on sale early in the new year. Powered by Ducati’s scintillating V4 Granturismo engine, the Multistradas are now Euro 5 homologated and pump out an eye-watering 170hp at 10,750rpm and 123.6Nm of torque at 9000rpm. Rear cylinder deactivation continues, but now also activates at slow running speeds to further boost economy and reduce emissions. A new Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) system has been developed by Ducati Corse in MotoGP racing and utilises the input of 70 sensors to refine the Multistrada V4’s ABS Cornering, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) functions. Five riding modes, adjustable Engine Brake Control (EBC) and Electronic Combined Braking (ECB) are additional…

The BMW Safari GS Enduro has a well-deserved reputation for being tough, and there is no tougher region in Australia than the Top End of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. For two consecutive years the Safari GS Enduro has focused on traversing this great continent from east to west above the Tropic of Capricorn. The first leg, back in 2023, was from Cairns to Darwin. It was a relentless and tough ride that cemented the Safari Enduro’s reputation of stretching the limits of riders’ endurance. Who could forget the infamous long, deep sand sections heading into Lorello Springs? It left some riders weeping in their helmets and clutch plates screaming in pain. For 2024, the second and final leg of the Top End crossing from Darwin to Broome was…

Hi honey, I’m home!” “Hello darling, how was your ride?” “Oh, it was awesome, Russ and I were charging the whole time.” And when I say charging, I actually mean ‘charging’, not ‘charging’. Charging as in electrically, not charging as in roosting. Confused? Don’t be. It’s simple really, because if you are going to ride an electric adventure bike, you are going to know all about charging, I can assure you. But hang on, did I just confuse you even more? Did I say ‘electric adventure bike’? Yes, I did. The arrival of E-ADV machines is real, and American electric bike brand Zero was keen-as for us to ride their new DSR/X E-ADV as soon as we could. And we were keen too. So we duly presented at Zero Motorcycles…

Has the ADV world gone mad for 450cc machines of late? It certainly seems like it. The CFMOTO 450 MT and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 have been the ‘the bikes’ of 2024, and that’s in a year when BMW unveiled a brand new 1300 GS and you would expect it to grab all the headlines and excitement. But it’s been the 450s that have been selling like hot cakes, and we’re rapt we’re able to have long-term access to both machines. We’ve got a CFMOTO 450 MT for a six month review and it’s parked in Clubby’s shed, where he’s been lavishing it with all sorts of TLC (check the latest update starting on page 94 of this issue). And now this Himalayan 450 is in the house, or to…

Look after your brakes and they will look after you. And when it comes to your bike’s brakes, you will want them to be working their best when you really need them! So without further ado, let’s take a look at the key aspects of your bike’s brakes and how to ensure they are working at their best. DISC ROTORS There are three key factors that demand your attention when it comes to checking your brake rotors. First of all, make sure the disc thickness is greater than the minimum thickness specification that will be engraved on the disc itself, or detailed in your bike’s owner’s manual. A badly worn disc will often be left with a lip on the outer edge, which can make brake caliper removal difficult. Next,…

Alpinestars’ devotion to the development of airbag system protective gear for motorcycle riders is renowned, given the continual evolution of their Tech Air safety garments. The latest addition to the range is the Tech Air Off-Road and it’s the airbag system so many off-road and adventure bike riders have been waiting for. It’s actually been in development since 2017, Alpinestars working extensively with leading riders in the Dakar Rally to now bring to market what they describe as the world’s most advanced active airbag technology for off-road riders. The Tech Air Off-Road looks like a typical pressure-suit body armour set-up with chest, back, shoulder and elbow protectors, but it boasts the additional airbag system for extra protection of the wearer’s chest, back, shoulders, neck and collarbone in the event of…