Innehållsförteckning för #348 18-07 från Just Bikes

AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE MARKET FALLS IN 2017

After a strong 2016 – the strongest in six years – the Australian motorcycle market came back to earth with a thud in 2017. Poor results, from traditionally strong market segments and individual models, saw new bike sales slip by almost ten per cent compared to the year prior. In data supplied by VFACTS and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), nationwide sales of 104,111 motorcycles in 2017 was down 9.3 percent on 2016’s result of 114,783, which in turn was up by 6.6 per cent on 2015. All four of the main motorcycle categories saw reversals, with road bikes taking the biggest hit of 15.9 per cent, while scooter sales dropped 13.9 per cent and off-road bike sales slipped 5.9 per cent. ATV sales fell by only 0.7…

10 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

LENNON’S MONKEY BIKE TO BE AUCTIONED

The auction of a classic Honda Z50A usually isn’t newsworthy, but when it’s an example originally owned by John Lennon, it draws attention. Such is the case with the example pictured, which goes to auction in the UK this March. Lennon reportedly brought the bike around the time of the Beatles breakup in 1970, for use around Tittenhurst Park estate in Surrey where he lived from 1969 to 1971. The Z50A had only arrived in the UK market in 1969, so Lennon’s example would have been one of the earliest sold there. After only a brief period of ownership, Lennon’s monkey bike ended up with a Hampshire motorcycle dealer, where it was purchased by the vendor in 1971. In original, unrestored condition, the Lennon provenance with this particular example will…

1 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

FIRST COURSE

After Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea won a third successive World Superbike Championship last year, will the Ulsterman achieve the ultimate again in 2018? The 2017 season saw Rea win 16 of 26 races, with the only other race winners being ‘familiar’ names like Tom Sykes, Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri. But a new season means a new start, so the bridesmaids to Rea for the past three years will be looking to mount new challenges, while returning riders and WSBK debutantes will also be looking to make their mark. All riders will make their first impressions at Phillip Island this 23-25 February, when the opening round of the 2018 Motul FIM World Superbike Championship leaps into action. SITUATION NORMAL After the two-day WSBK race format was introduced in 2016…

4 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

B PLUS

Everyone who knows bikes (and even most people who don’t) knows what a Vespa is. However, knowledge of the Vespa’s commercial cousin, the Ape, is far less widespread. That’s a shame, really, as the Ape, especially in its passengercarrying form as presented here, is a charming machine that deserves more attention. When this unit was listed for sale with JUST BIKES, its rarity and condition caught our eye, so we were keen to find out more about it. Fortunately, the owner/seller Paul Savoy was only too happy to oblige. Paul started by clarifying that the Ape has nothing to do with primates; it’s actually pronounced Ahh-pay and is Italian for bee. An appropriate name, as the Ape was the “working” companion to Piaggio’s Vespa (wasp) scooter. AIR COOLED ATTRACTION Listing…

10 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

WHAT’S HOT

DAINESE RACING 3 MENS LEATHER JACKET Cassons P/L cassons.com.au Made from ‘Tutu’ leather (that’s tougher than it sounds!) with S1 fabric and Microelastic stretch zones, the Dainese Racing 3 jacket combines strength, flexibility and light weight with the perfect fit. With replaceable aluminium shoulder plates, a sweat and odour-absorbing Nanofeel comfort liner, air vents on the chest and sides, as well as provision for chest and back protectors, the Racing 3 also features two outer pockets, reflective inserts and a pants fastening system. Available in three different colour combos and Euro 44-60 sizes (size availability varies with certain colours), the Dainese Racing 3 is priced from $799.95 RRP. FIFTY SHADES OF 50 New Holland Publishers newhollandpublishers.com Subtitled (with tongue firmly in cheek) ‘A REALLY reliable memoir’, this 308-page autobiography by…

2 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

KAWASAKI Z900RS ARRIVES

Kawasaki’s all-new, all-cool Z900RS is here. Styled on the original Z1, right down to the Candytone orange and brown paint inspired by the “Jaffa” Z1 from 1972, the Z900RS started arriving in Aussie dealerships just before Christmas. Styling features, like the classic teardrop fuel tank, twin-clock instrumentation, round headlight, two-up “flat” seat, Z1-inspired tail cowl and multi-spoke alloys, are all about evoking the look and feel of the original Z1. There’s nothing ‘retro’ about the running gear, though. The Z900RS is powered by the same 948cc inline four as the latest Z900, but slightly detuned to 82kW and 98.5Nm. Other modern features including a specially-tuned 4-into-1 exhaust, an assist and slipper clutch, twomode adjustable Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), ABS, LED lighting, an LCD info screen and redesigned steel trellis frame.…

1 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

KAWASAKI CONFIRMS 2018 MX TEAM LINEUP

After a long association with Troy Carroll Motorsports, Kawasaki’s motocross and supercross efforts will be run by Dyson Motorsports in 2018. After announcing their partnership with Kawasaki Australia in December, the NSW-based outfit confirmed their threerider lineup – covering MX1, MX2 and MXD classes - in January. The experienced Jess Foreman will manage the team, assisted by his father Jay, who successfully ran Suzuki’s local MX and SX efforts for many years and managed Honda’s MX/SX racing squad in 2017. Representing Dyson Motorsports in MX1 will be Rhys Carter. The 28-year-old from New Zealand returns to the MX Nationals with a wealth of experience, including AMA Motocross in the US and representing his country at the Motocross of Nations. Carter has experience racing in Australia, too, (with Suzuki’s MX/SX squad)…

2 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

TICKETING

With a packed program of racing, a 3-day ticket is your best option, but single day tickets are available. Discounts are available on the gate price if you pre-purchase General Admission, Campground and BarSBK tickets through ticketek.com.au For VIP Hospitality packages, go to: worldsbk.com.au NOTE: Pre-purchase ticket discounts and other special offers are subject to availability and may have expired by the time this issue goes on sale – please check the respective websites or call the Superbike Hotline on 1300 728 007 to confirm availability. IMPROVED PADDOCK SHOW The Paddock Show - that includes rider interviews and autograph sessions, special guests, giveaways, live commentary and other entertainment across the weekend - promises to be bigger and better in 2018, so don’t miss out on your chance to get paddock access.…

5 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

ANGER MANAGED

There’s just something about MV Agustas, a certain, almostlunatic je ne sais quoi that separates them from other bikes. I have always been an unashamed fan of the marque, and to this day, I have not seen a higher speed on a motorcycle than I saw on an F4 on a deserted Snowy Mountains Highway some years ago. Did the early bikes have issues? Sure. But MV has not exactly been sitting on its hands in addressing them. Do they still have issues? Sure, but not the ones you might think. Are any of these issues deal-breakers? Not remotely. And certainly not for me. It’s all part of MV’s ineffable ‘otherness’ – yes, they are motorcycles, but they are somewhat special motorcycles and not at all like other bikes. Once…

9 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

EVENTS

NSW FEBRUARY, SATURDAY, 3RD, 2018 THUNDER WEST 2018 This is a steel horse muster with a Bike Show and shine, Tattoo competition, live music from the Viper Creek Band, Wet t-shirt competition, Ladies Lovely Legs competition, Men's Deadlift competition and more. Special guest will be Angry Anderson. This is a licensed venue, food available. Free camping available from Thursday 1st Feb. Conditions of entry No under 18yrs after 6pm, NO BYO, No dogs, No fires. FSB Pearlbrook, 373 Scotts Creek Rd, Murrurundi 2338. Fozzy 0404 467 171 FEBRUARY, SATURDAY, 10TH, 2018 41ST KARUAH RIVER RALLY Located at Frying Pan Creek campsite, Chichester State Forest, via Dungog, NSW. No cars unless prearranged; $25 covers badge & breakfast voucher. Basic catering on Saturday afternoon at reasonable prices - Dungog for all other…

12 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

HONDA RIDE AWAY DEALS

To celebrate being Australia’s top-selling motorcycle brand again in 2017, Honda Australia are offering ride away deals across selected 2017-plated models. Leading the charge is the MY17 CBR1000RR Fireblade, which is being offered for $21,499 ride away; a $1,000 saving on the normal list price, excluding ORCs. At the other end of Honda’s super sports scale, the LAMS-legal MY17 CBR300R can be had for $4,999 ride away (a $250 saving on the list price, excl. ORCs), with its naked CB300F sibling also available for $4,999 ride away. Smaller still, the economical CB125E commuter is on offer for $2,499 ride away; a $200 saving on the normal list price. For adventure and off-road riders, the NC750X is available for $9,999 ride away, while the CRF250 Rally can be had for $6,999…

1 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

STYKE MOVES TO AORC WITH YAMAHA

After a long period in motocross and supercross that included the MX2 and SX Lites championships in 2013, Luke Styke will take on a new challenge this year when he switches to enduro competition in the Australian Off Road Championship (AORC). “I came to the end of the [2017] MX Nationals and just felt I needed a change,” Styke explained. “I had raced motocross for so long and things were becoming a bit stale. But I didn’t want to stop racing so I looked at other options and off road really appealed to me.” Styke joins the experienced Active8 Yamalube Yamaha team managed by AJ Roberts, but isn’t a complete novice to off road racing. “I did a few off-road events a while ago and I enjoyed them, so I…

1 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

VIVA ITALIA!

Sunday, 12 November, 2017 saw a section of inner suburban Melbourne buzzing with Italian bikes of all types, sizes, conditions and eras when the annual Festival of Italian Motorcycles (FoIM) was held in Carlton. Fittingly for an all-Italian bike event, the FoIM is held in Piazza Italia; a public square off Lygon Street that’s Melbourne’s hub for all things Italian. While the FoIM has been a staple for Italian motorcycle owners and enthusiasts since 2003, the 2017 event was arguably the best in almost a decade, thanks to a big turnout of motorcycles, splendid weather, more parking space and a number of other tweaks and improvements. ALL IN Bikes started rolling in from 9:00AM; by noon there were around 400 Italian motorcycles under glorious sunshine in the Piazza. Closing one…

5 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

EDGED WEAPON

It’s been a long time since Honda cast an eye over its flagship sportsbike. It’s been 25 years since the CBR1000RR Fireblade first appeared and a decade since anything meaningful has been done to it, so it’s rather appropriate the 25th anniversary ’Blade is far and away the best Fireblade Honda’s ever made. For starters, it simply gorgeous. The 2017 iteration is hands down the best-looking Fireblade ever made, and this is only enhanced with Honda’s usual high-level build-quality. Now you may be aware some people have tried to put an elephant in the room with the Fireblade. That elephant was born and bred in the fires of the Isle of Man when a racer declared the gearbox of the 2017 Fireblade was made of neutrals. Much of the press…

8 min

Just Bikes|#348 18-07

CLUB NOTICES

ACT ACT MOTORCYCLE CLUB The Club caters for riders aged 4 to not out; for beginners, weekend warriors, club racers and Pro's. We got riders regularly racing in their fifties! Meetings held 1st Wednesday of every month, All club meetings are held at the Roos Club in Queanbeyan 6pm P.O. Box 3150, Manuka,ACT,2603 Ph: 0418 633 447 or Em: actmcc@live.com.au ACT BIKERS CLUB KLAIPEDA Our main goal is to give help and support for all the friends of the Russian URAL bikes. ACT BIKES AUSTRALIA CANBERRA BRANCH We're looking for new members in the ACT region. If you're into bikes (2 wheels and a motor) give us a call. Contact: Badge Ph: 02 6258 4811 ACT CANBERRA BRANCH OF BIKES AUSTRALIA We're looking for new members in the ACT region.…

95 min