Innehållsförteckning för #324 16-09 från Just Bikes

“ The beauty of the Springfield is that all its touring features, including the pillion seat, can be removed to turn the tourer into a solo ride.” Indian Motorcycle has unveiled a new variant on the Chief in the form of the ‘Springfield’ – what the company says is a “hard bagger” as well as a “pure, essential touring motorcycle.” Named after the birthplace of Indian Motorcycle (Springfield, Massachusetts), the new Springfield most closely resembles the Chief Classic in looks, but adds the hard panniers of the Chieftain and a quickrelease windshield to separate it from the Chief Vintage. That windshield is unique to the Springfield, creating what Indian says is a large air pocket around the rider and pillion. Standard buckhorn bars, cruise control and adjustable footboards increase the…

Back in the mid-1970s, having one of your bikes ridden by Elvis Presley would have carried a lot of weight - no pun intended! But for Rupp and their ‘Centaur’ road trike, it didn’t quite pan out that way. As ‘The King’ soon discovered, the Centaur was beset by a series of problems that torpedoed any chance this machine had of making a longterm impact in the North American market. SNOW TO DIRT TO ROAD It seems curious now, but Ohio was one of the two hotbeds of the American trike market in the 1970s. The other, unsurprisingly, was California. One of the pioneers in Ohio was Herb “Mickey” Rupp, who had made a tidy living building and selling snowmobiles under the Rupp name, then branched into two-wheel and three-wheel…

While the new two-day race format for the Yamaha Financial Services round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island garnered attention, there was a lot going on in World Supersport, too, not least of which was a new qualifying format and the appearance of no less than six Aussies on the starting grid. SUPERSPORT SUPERPOLE The major change to the opening round’s programme was the first adoption of a new Superpole qualifying format. Rather than the usual qualifying sessions, times now elevated riders into Superpole 1, then Superpole 2 to determine the front end of the starting grid. While not affecting the Phillip Island round, there’s also a new sub-category for European WSS rounds this season, replacing the previously SuperStock 600 Championship (see JUST BIKES #320). SIX PACK…

As reported in last issue’s JUST BIKES, the annual All British Rally (ABR) will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in 2016. Hosted by the BSA Motorcycle Owners Association (BSAMOA), more than 1,000 British-built motorcycles are expected at this year’s 22 – 25 April event, covering the familiar makes and models, as well as more obscure and rare Brit machines. The 40th ABR opens for pre-paid entrants at midday on Friday, 22 April. Pre-paid entry of $60.00 gets you campsite access, a rally badge and free Saturday lunch, as well as a chance to win event trophies and this year’s gate prize - a 1968 BSA A50 Royal Star. Powered by a 498cc parallel air-cooled twin, the A50 was BSA’s first unitconstruction 500. Debuting in 1962, and succeeding the A7, the A50…

Honda Australia is soon to release a new alternative in the LAMS market, in the form of the ‘Grom’. A hit since its introduction to other markets in 2013, particularly the US, the Grom features light weight, compact dimensions and funky styling, and follows Honda’s Monkey and Dax mini motorcycles. Aussie Grom (aussiegrom.com.au) has already been bringing in small numbers of these bikes, but from mid-2016, they’ll be officially imported by Honda. Defined by its small 12-inch wheels and chunky tyres, the Grom is powered by a 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine. Other features include a four-speed transmission, chain drive, 31mm front suspension with 99mm travel and a monoshock rear with 104mm travel. A 754mm seat height, 102kg wet weight and 3.8-litre fuel tank should make the Grom a popular urban…

In the American custom scene, Bryan Fuller hardly needs an introduction. Thanks to his hosting duties on the ‘Naked Speed’ TV programme in the US, previous appearances on Rides, Overhaulin’ and other shows, plus heritage with So-Cal Speed Shop, Foose Design and more, Fuller is one of the best-known builders in America’s two and four wheel custom fraternity. Under his own ‘Fuller Moto’ banner, a company he started in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2005, Fuller may not have a lot of two-wheel builds yet, as the cars have been prominent (search online for the Fullerdesigned and built ‘Thundertaker’ Cadillac hearse and ‘Double Down’ AWD ’32 Ford roadster – they’re both epic!!). However, what has been produced thus far has been top quality. Fuller isn’t afraid to try different things, either, as…

As a direct competitor to Honda’s recently-announced Grom urban commuter, Kawasaki will be bringing the Z125 PRO to Australia this year. Like the Grom, the Z125 PRO is compact, chunky and funky, featuring a similar powerplant, wheels and other features, and is both road legal and LAMS approved. Power comes from a fuel-injected 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, matched to a 4-speed transmission and chain final drive. Suspension consists of a 30mm USD front fork and offset laydown rear single shock with 4-way adjustable pre-load to cater for a pillion. 12-inch cast alloy wheels at both ends are fitted with chunky road tyres, while stopping is courtesy of a 200mm front and 184mm rear petal brake disc. While the listed kerb weight of 102kg is comparable to the Grom, the Kawasaki…

Yamaha backs 2016 A4DE Yamaha Motor Australia have once again confirmed their support for Australian Off-Road racing, securing naming rights to the 2016 Australian Four Day Enduro. The country’s most prestigious off-road motorcycle event, the 2016 A4DE will take place this 9-14 May, in Mansfield - the foothills of Victoria’s alpine country. Over 300 riders are expected, competing in a range of special tests and travelling through some amazing countryside over four gruelling days. “Yamaha Motor Australia is again excited to present the Australian Four Day Enduro in 2016,” said Ray Howard, Yamaha Motor Australia’s Motorsport Manager. “Among the riders, teams and industry, it is seen as the highlight in the off-road racing calendar and one of the most prestigious dirt bike events in Australia.” To stay up to date…

The season opener for the 2016 FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island – the Yamaha Financial Services round – saw the debut of an all-new race weekend format, the arrival of number of new faces, plus the healthiest Aussie contingent for years. DOUBLE DATE The major change to the opening round’s programme was the adoption of a new two-day race format. Rather than the traditional two-races-in-a-day structure, the races now take place over two separate days – Saturday, 27 February and Sunday, 28 February, in this instance. The merits of this new format, applicable for all rounds, will become apparent as the season progresses, but the initial response at Phillip Island seemed to be positive, with 61,097 spectators attending – up 7 per cent over 2015. While you could…