Innehållsförteckning för 185 från Australian Road Rider

In the last issue of ARR, Brian Rix penned an excellent and well-researched column titled “Never too old”. The subject of the column centred around older riders and how riding a bike can be good for you in various ways, including spatial awareness, improved reflexes and, most importantly, making you feel good. Crikey! I mean who doesn’t like going for a ride?! Rixy quoted one Japanese study that stated: “… it is interesting to note that the ability to detect hazardous situations is significantly higher in motorcyclists than non-motorcycling car drivers. In fact, motorcyclists carry out more saccades (jolts) and rapidly capture information from their rearview mirrors and on the road in front of them.” Not long after reading Rixy’s column, I witnessed three incidents that involved older riders, and…

ARR recently attended the Australian launch of the significantly updated 2025 Harley-Davidson Softail Cruiser collection in which all six models now get an extra three cubes thanks to the fitment of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain, as well as other technology advancements. The 2025 Cruiser lineup consists of the Low Rider S, Low Rider ST, Breakout, Fat Boy, Street Bob and Heritage Classic. In addition to adopting one of three versions of the 117 engine, all models are now equipped with cornering ABS, cornering TC and cornering Drag Torque Slip Control, as well as a tyre pressure monitor (TPMS) and rider selectable Rain, Road and Sport modes. The engine variances across the models are down to intakes and exhaust systems, as well as ride mode programming. The tuning for the Milwaukee-Eight…

It’s bad news for those who want to get their hands on a new Ducati Panigale V4 Tricolore Italia, a limited and numbered collector’s bike that will be produced in only 163 units. All examples have been accounted for! All 163 examples of the Panigale V4 Tricolore Italia are signed by Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati says the bike takes enthusiasts back to the extraordinary date of 2 June, 2024, when, on Republic Day, the Ducati Lenovo team raced in the Italian Grand Prix with a special Azzurro livery, a tribute to the colour of Italy’s national sports teams. The team obtained first and second place with Bagnaia and Bastianini, scoring a dream one-two and with two Italian riders on the highest steps of the podium. The base of the Panigale…

The Everything Electric Show held in Sydney earlier this year featured a few new players in the EV motorcycle space, some just testing the waters in the Aussie EV bike market, as well as some notable absences. Aussie company Savic Motorcycles was there with its C-Series, which it says is now being delivered to customers; Kiwi company FTN Motion had its Streetdog on display; Segway Ninebot was there with its E300SE scooter; a new scooter company called Rolln was there with a range of electric models starting at just $3600; and BMW had its CE 04 on display. Interestingly, a trade delegation from Indonesia had a stand with electric models from three manufacturers — Savart, ALVA and Charged — to see what sort of interest it could drum up from…

Honda says its E-Clutch blends elements of the technology and performance of quickshifters, manually operated clutches and Honda’s unique Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The E-Clutch system consists of various sensors, the engine control electronic control unit (ECU), a drive unit, motor control unit (MCU) comprising two small motors and gears, and a three-part clutch lever shaft for moving the clutch lifter piece Clutch control is dictated by different signals including engine RPM (crankshaft), throttle angle, gear position, gear shift pedal load, clutch disengagement, meter indicators, and front and rear wheel speed. According to Honda, the system is light and compact, gives faster clutch control than is possible through human operation, provides clutch control appropriate to the riding state (starting, gear shifting and stopping), and allows for manual clutch operation even…

Four European motorcycles and one Japanese motorcycle left Perth, Western Australia, on a dismal August morning in 1981, planning to do a loop from Perth to Darwin to Adelaide and back to Perth, but only the four Euro bikes made it back intact. Oh, and despite covering 11,000km, we never made it to Adelaide! The five bikes and riders were Carl on a 1978 Motor Guzzi 850 T3, Shane aboard a 1978 1000cc Laverda Jota, Kathy riding a 1980 BMW R65, Clyde and his 1978 Kawasaki Z650, and myself, Murray Barnard, on a 1978 850cc Moto Guzzi Series 2 Le Mans. The rendezvous point was Bullsbrook, 45km north of Perth. As I arrived, Carl was already there, lying on his back, looking very pale and decidedly unfit. He was in…

READ! What does it really feel like to ride through the extremes of Asia on two wheels? The Moment Collectors ASIA offers 20 answers to that question… from riders who have done it, lived it and now share their most unforgettable moments. This second volume in The Moment Collectors series brings together motorcycle travellers from nine countries, each offering a personal tale from their journeys across the world’s largest and most diverse continent. The stories range from novice adventurers to seasoned global riders, and take you across deserts, jungles, mountains and megacities, from Mongolia’s steppes to Nepal’s high passes, Burma’s jungles to Korea’s backroads and beyond. What links these riders isn’t just a motorcycle, but the moments that make them stop and think: this is exactly why I’m out here.…

It was a big month that started with the birth of my ninth grandchild and ended with the passing of my 91-year-old mother. The cycle of life lit large. I was emotionally knackered and in dire need of some motorcycle therapy. For many of the last 40 years, I’ve attended an annual get-together of present and mostly past members of the motorcycle media and their friends. The location moves around each time and this year’s event was in Mt Hope in western NSW, where we’d last convened some 31 years earlier. It was home at the time to Peter Smith, aka Mr Smith of Two Wheels magazine, both now long passed but legends back in the day. But first I needed to book a roadworthy inspection to renew the registration…

The reborn Moto Guzzi V7 Classic became an instant hit when it was launched back in 2008. Unlike the collectible and expensive V7 of the 1960s and 1970s, today you can pick up a reborn example for as little as $5000. When Moto Guzzi released the V7 Classic in December 2008, it tapped deep into the brand’s heritage, capturing the retro spirit better than just about any other manufacturer at the time. The design threw back to the original V7s of the late 1960s and early 70s, but under the vintage lines sat modern tech and engineering. The V7 Classic was powered by a transversely mounted 744cc air-cooled 90° V-twin paired with a five-speed gearbox and shaft final drive. It wasn’t a powerhouse, but with 35.5kW and 54.7Nm on tap…

Yep, it looks like we’re riding back to the 1980s with the unveiling of the new BMW R 12 G/S that harks back to the legendary BMW R80G/S… but with modern tech. This new BMW R 12 G/S is an off-road enduro machine in the style of the original R80G/S but equipped with present-day modern technology. The unveiling of this new model follows on from the last year’s reveal and recent launch of the BMW R 12 S. The new R 12 G/S is powered by an 1170cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine that makes a claimed 80kW (109hp) at 7000rpm and a maximum torque of 115Nm at 6500 rpm. While the engine might sound a little old school, the R 12 G/S scores plenty of tech including cornering ABS and TC,…

Honda revealed the long-rumoured CB1000F Concept at the Osaka Motorcycle Show earlier this year and we can’t wait to see it on the road. The design of the CB1000F harks back to the Honda CB750F and CB900F models first launched in 1979 and, like most retro bikes these days, it offers a striking blend of classic aesthetics and modern engineering, the latter thanks to it being based on the CB1000 Hornet platform, which itself borrows its engine from the 2017-on Fireblade. Compared to the Hornet, the CB10000F Concept has a higher handlebar positioned closer to the rider, and footpegs slightly forward, suggesting a more upright and comfortable riding posture. And there is no mistaking where the design influence lies with the CB1000F, with the slab-sided fuel tank very reminiscent of…

This exquisite custom motorcycle called Project Delta was unveiled recently by its creator and founder of Purpose Built Moto, Tom Gilroy, at Royal Enfield’s flagship Sydney store Moto Machine. According to Royal Enfield, the custom build is a vintage dream brought to life, a journey through time, a celebration of Royal Enfield’s rich heritage, and a masterclass in craftsmanship. From its earliest days, Purpose Built Moto has stood for the art of transformation, and the company says that Project Delta is the embodiment of that ethos. Taking inspiration from the 1940s-1950s era of motorcycling, the design of the bike draws heavily from the Super Meteor 700 and the legendary Flying Flea from WWII. The result? A motorcycle that not only looks like it belongs in a bygone era, but rides…

If you fancy a Z900 but you’re more of a retro rider, maybe try the 2025 Z900RS or 2025 Z900RS SE models. Both bikes are powered by a slightly detuned version of the Z900’s 948cc engine. The Z900RS (pictured here in Candy Tone Red) features a teardrop tank, spoke-style cast wheels, round LED headlamp and Z1-inspired LED taillight shape. It costs $17,599 (+ORC). If you are after a bit more performance, the Z900RS SE (pictured here in metallic flat spark black and metallic matt carbon grey) features a Brembo brake package and Öhlins rear shock. It retails for $20,099 (+ORC).…

Honda CB650R E-Clutch $14,300 ride away* Engine 649cc inline four Power 35kW Torque 49kW Weight 206kg (kerb) Kawasaki Z650 $13,393 ride away* Engine 649cc parallel twin Power 37.8kW Torque 57Nm Weight 187kg (kerb) CFMOTO 650NK $8890 ride away Engine 649.3cc parallel twin Power 41.5kW Torque 62Nm Weight 193kg (wet) Yamaha MT-07 LA $14,899 ride away Engine 655cc parallel twin Power 38kW Torque 57.2Nm Weight 183kg (wet) Suzuki SV650 LAMS $11,490 ride away Engine 645cc V-twin Power 35kW Torque 64Nm Weight 198kg (wet) Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 $10,990 ride away Engine 648cc parallel twin Power 35kW Torque 52.3Nm Weight 202kg (kerb) *depending on location…

THE BIKE: 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans (Series 2) — purchased new and used for commuting, rallies and many trips touring in the south-west of Western Australia. By August 1981 the Le Mans had travelled 38,000km. The journey to the Kimberley area of Western Australia and to Darwin in the Northern Territory and back to Perth added 11,000km. The Le Mans is unrestored and still in my possession in Perth, Western Australia. PREPARATION: New Continental front tyre and rear Metzeler. Fork gaiters fitted. Sump extension installed. Original front fairing replaced by an old one in case of damage. Headlight screen installed. Quartz halogen headlight fitted. T3 front crashbars added. Points ignition replaced by Piranha electronic ignition. PERFORMANCE: The Le Mans is excellent on the unsealed roads having short front…

SOUTH OF ROME THE WEATHER GETS WARMER, THE MEALS GET LONGER, THE PEOPLE BECOME FRIENDLIER, THE TRADITIONS GROW STRONGER AND THE SCENERY BECOMES MORE BREATHTAKING I’ve been to Italy about a dozen times, starting with a honeymoon in the 1990s followed by business trips, car holidays with my family and two motorcycle trips. But none of those trips went south of Rome. I didn’t venture farther south because I was told southern Italy is poor, crime-ridden, underdeveloped and dirty… and therefore not worth visiting. I was wrong. Although southern Italy can be some of those things some of the time, its bad reputation is totally overblown. I discovered that when I took the Adriatic Moto Tours (AMT) South of Rome and Sicily Tour in October 2024. AMT is a Slovenia-based…

SW-MOTECH’s PRO Tank Bag series combines rugged good looks with genuine practicality — but what really sets it apart is the innovative magnetic guide system built into the tank ring. Mounting a tank bag can often be fiddly, but not here. The PRO Tank Ring system uses powerful guide magnets to automatically align the bag, followed by a mechanical snap lock that secures it with a reassuring click. A red pull strap releases the bag just as easily, making it one of the most convenient systems on the market. The bags themselves are made from premium 1680D ballistic nylon, offering UV resistance and long-term durability. There are subtle reflective accents for increased visibility, plus a MOLLE attachment system for modular add-ons. Riders looking for full weather protection will also find…

Back in 1996, I partook in a Two Wheels sportsbike test that compared the then-new Honda CBR900RR Fireblade with the Kawasaki ZX-9R, Suzuki RF900 and Yamaha YZF1000 Thunderace. I loved the Blade so much that for the next two years I scoured the classifieds (remember them?) until I found a one that suited my not-brand-new budget. It was fortuitous that the one that popped up at the right price was in my favourite colour scheme: black with yellow stripes. I loved that Blade and I used it to commute, to scratch, to tour and on track days. Then I got rid of it because I thought I needed a Varadero… I know, I know — what the hell was I thinking? Sure, the Dero was fun for a couple of…

Extract of an interview with CB1000F Concept designer Yuha Suzuki from Honda’s Global website: “The opportunity to be involved in the design of the CB is a rare one, and a real honour. I had a feeling that this model would be a turning point in my life as a designer. “Since it is a model with a long history, we started by discussing with the design team how it has evolved over the years, looking at previous CBs lined up, and interpreting what kind of model the CB is. After that work, we concluded that the CB is a bike that incorporates cutting-edge technology in line with the times, while providing the joy of riding in all situations, from sports to everyday life. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the…

Following on from the launch of its new motocross models, Triumph Motorcycles has launched its new MY26 TF 250-E and TF 450-E enduro machines, priced from $18,290 ride away and $19,690 ride away respectively. Both enduro machines are road legal so can be ridden on public land where permitted. The bikes have been developed in-house by Triumph in collaboration with five-time world champion Iván Cervantes and four-time world enduro champion Paul Edmondson. The TF 250-E and TF 450-E share a unique, lightweight aluminium chassis that has been engineered for agility and strength. The new spine frame design is claimed to provide exceptional handling and stability across all terrains. The TF250-E runs a 249cc DOHC single that makes a claimed 31.1kW (42.3PS) and 27.8Nm. Peak power and torque figures for the…

There’s something about a supermotard-style bike that makes you feel like you’re breaking the law just riding it. Maybe it’s all those movies in which guys rob banks or chase spies while thrashing mad motos through cobbled European piazzas. Whatever the case, there’s no denying that lightweight, dirtbike-style machines fitted with road tyres are great fun for “spirited” riding. Maybe not so much for long-distance touring, but trackdays can also be fantastic on these no-frills fangers. Then there’s the Hypermotard, Ducati’s predictably “extra” take on the supermotard class. The original Hypermotard debuted as a concept at the 2005 EICMA trade show in Milan and won Best of Show, before being released as the Hypermotard 1100 in 2007. Since then, it has evolved through several iterations, including the 796, 821, 939…

The Z moniker has been around for as long as I can remember; in fact, a quick check shows that it has existed since 1972, incidentally the very year that I was born. Of course, this must mean that — as for all us semi-centenarians — it is ageing gracefully and only improving as the years roll on. Those who are just a little bit older might even recall that it all started with the famous Z1, which only had a 903cc engine, but they got away with rounding that up to make it a quasilitre bike. It wasn’t until 1976 that the Z900 label was first employed, and the modern iteration only appeared in 2017, when it superseded the Z800. Since then, the Z900 has done a solid job…

ENGINE Type: Liquid-cooled, inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, four valves per cylinder Capacity: 948cc Bore x stroke: 73.4 × 56mm Compression ratio: 11.8:1 Engine management: EFI, 36mm throttle bodies PERFORMANCE Claimed maximum power: 92.2kW (124hp) @ 9500rpm Claimed maximum torque: 98.6Nm @ 7700rpm Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km (tested) TRANSMISSION Type: Six-speed with dual-direction quickshifter Final drive: Chain Clutch: Wet multi-disc type, slip and assist CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR Chassis: Trellis, high-tensile steel Front suspension: 41mm USD fork with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability, 120mm travel Rear suspension: Horizontal back-link, gascharged shock with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability, 140mm travel Front brakes: Dual semi-floating 300mm discs, radially mounted four-piston calipers Rear brakes: Single 250mm disc, singlepiston caliper Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) Dunlop Sportmax Q5A R: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W) Dunlop Sportmax Q5A DIMENSIONS AND…

Honda has long had a knack for innovation and with the CB650R E-Clutch, it has brought something intriguing to the LAMS category. For riders who crave the sound and feel of an inline-four but are still bound by learner restrictions, this bike offers an experience that’s smooth, refined and surprisingly engaging. Add to that Honda’s all-new E-Clutch system, and you’ve got a motorcycle that promises to make riding almost effortless — especially in city traffic. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out. THE E-CLUTCH EXPERIENCE The biggest talking point of this bike is, of course, the E-Clutch. Unlike a traditional quickshifter, this system completely eliminates the need for a clutch lever — though it still gives you the option to use it if you prefer. At…

ENGINE Type: Liquid-cooled inline four, DOHC, four valves per cylinder Capacity: 649cc Bore x stroke: 67.0 × 46mm Compression ratio: 11.6:1 Engine management: EFI PERFORMANCE Claimed maximum power: 35kW (48hp) Claimed maximum torque: 49Nm Fuel Consumption: 5.1L/100km (measured) TRANSMISSION Type: Constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox Final drive: Chain Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, electronic actuation CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR Chassis: Steel diamond frame Front suspension: Showa 41mm USD fork, 120mm of travel Rear suspension: Double-sided swing arm with monoshock, preload adjustable, 125mm travel Front brakes: Two 310mm ventilated discs, 4-piston radial-mount caliper, ABS Rear brake: Single 240mm disc, single-piston caliper, ABS Tyres: Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 F: 120/70ZR17 R: 180/55ZR17 DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES Rake: 25.5° Trail: 101mm Claimed kerb weight: 206kg Seat height: 810mm Wheelbase: 1450mm Fuel capacity: 15.4L ELECTRONICS, RIDER AIDS & CONVENIENCE…

Terrible roads, slow bikes, warm temperatures and high humidity… I was having a great time! Vietnam, the infamous jewel of South-East Asia, is enchanting, captivating and beautiful. With more than 100 million people living in an area about the size of Victoria, there’s plenty to see and do in this country rich in history and culture. I’m riding with Vietnam Motorbike Tours on the company’s “The Road to Cambodia” tour, which would see us spend a week in each country. Vietnam, although still a developing economy, is by far the richer of the two countries, with a forge-ahead socialist government focused on improving and enriching the lives of its people. For visitors, that means incredible restaurants serving up great food, good availability of decent accommodation, and the chance to see…

I have a confession; I’m a Lewis and Clark tragic. Before you start googling to find out if they are a TV detective duo, let me save you the effort. They were American explorers who led an expedition called The Corps of Discovery on an incredible return journey across uncharted North America from 1803 to 1806. After having visited several Lewis and Clark sites and museums over the years in the north-west states of Montana and Idaho, we were now in the south-east where it had all started, on a narrow point of land in southern Illinois at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The morning had been cold and gloomy as we rode two-up across rural Missouri in misty rain heading to Kentucky. My pillion wife’s Dririder…

New for 2024, the Nitro N501 DVS is a value-packed full-face helmet that brings modern features and fresh style at an appealing price. Certified to the latest ECE 22.06 safety standard, the N501 is designed with comfort, airflow and visibility in mind. Its custom-designed Multi Poly Tech (MPT) shell comes in a bold range of APEX graphics and colour options, while the twin top vents and integrated rear exhaust ports are designed to keep airflow moving. The chin vent is easy to open — even with gloves on — and a rear spoiler improves aerodynamics. A drop-down DVS sun visor is integrated within the Pinlockprepared outer visor, offering fog-free, glare-free vision in a wide range of conditions. Inside, the soft-touch liner and cheek pads are removable, washable and colour-coded to…

Melbourne to Broome and back. We’ve all been there done that. A mate comes up with a brainwave for a good ride and your own grey matter goes into overdrive. What a great idea. Can we do it? How long will it take? Can I get a leave pass? Then the plotting and scheming starts. We’re all different, so someone wants to plan every minute detail, others, well, where’s the nearest petrol station, fill her up and let’s go. So this is how it started. Mick and I were chewing the fat about all things travel and bikes as per usual when he outlined a trip he’d love to do before we both get too old and decrepit. A ride from Melbourne to Broome over mostly dirt. Sure, it’s been…

LOOKING BACK When BMW launched the R80G/S in 1980 — widely regarded as the world’s first true adventure bike — it presented a motorcycle based on a modified R65 frame, with upgraded suspension and dual-purpose tyres on a 21/17-inch wheel combo. This gave the bike genuine cross-country capability without sacrificing its road manners. Sure, there were other changes too, including a larger fuel tank, more ground clearance and a new look, but the G/S ran the same 797.5cc boxer twin as the R80 road models, but tuned for better lowend torque. This economical and effective way of creating an off-road-capable motorcycle out of a road-going platform has been replicated many times since by manufacturers across the globe. Even car makers followed a similar formula, giving rise to the modern SUV…