Innehållsförteckning för #357 19-03 från Just Bikes

BMW has unveiled the nextgeneration versions of their boxer-engined touring models – the R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT – which boast several changes over the models they replace. The major change for 2019 is a capacity increase from the long-running 1170cc to 1254cc for more power and torque. The larger engines also add ‘ShiftCam’ variable valve timing technology for increased fuel efficiency and refinement. There’s also an LED headlight and multifunction TFT instrument display for the GS and a new secondary front spoiler on the RT. Both models get two riding modes (Rain and Road), Active Stability Control and Hill Start Control as standard, with an expanded range of rider assistance technologies available as extra-cost options. NEW AND FAMILIAR FAMILIES The lineup within the GS off-road touring family…

Earlier this year, Indian Motorcycle launched a custom build competition in the US, inviting non-professional builders to take a Scout Bobber and make it into something amazing. ‘The Wrench: Scout Bobber Build Off’ attracted entries from all over North America, with a number of interesting - and very individual - takes on the Scout Bobber submitted. The initial entry field of more than 100 was cut down to a Top 12, which were judged by motorcycle design and fabrication luminaries like Roland Sands, Satya Kraus, Jason Paul Michaels and Hot Bike magazine Editor-in-Chief Jordan Mastagni. A two-week-long fan vote also helped determine the winner, who would receive US$10,000 and a feature article in Hot Bike. The winner, revealed alongside the runners-up at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August, was submitted by Alfredo ‘Fred’ Juarez.…

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that the adventure bike market was a threeway fight, with BMW’s GS the champ and Honda’s Africa Twin and Yamaha’s Tenere the challengers. Granted, I’ve missed a few others, like Cagiva’s Elefant, the long-running Suzuki DR650 and equally enduring Kawasaki KLR650, but the BMW, Honda and Yamaha trio seemed to epitomise the segment. Fast forward to the present and it seems everyone has a player in the adventure bike market. Hell, when even Harley-Davidson puts up a contender (as they will in 2020 with their Pan America 1250), you know the segment’s big. As the adventure bike demand has expanded, the offerings have broadened, with smaller adventurestyle motorcycles now available to cater to LAMS riders. To the best of my recollection, the idea…

Victoria’s celebration of all things Italian on two – and sometimes three! - wheels, the ‘Festival of Italian Motorcycles’, is on again this November. After last year’s stellar event saw more than 400 Italian-brand motorcycles turn up (see JUST BIKES #348), organisers are expecting an equally impressive representation again this year. To be held on Sunday, 11 November, the 2018 Festival of Italian Motorcycles (FoIM) welcomes both the familiar Italian brands, like Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, MV Agusta and Benelli, as well as the less familiar, like Gilera, Moto Morini, Bimota and Aermacchi. Last year, SWM showcased their latest models and supported riders. This year, given the recent return of Lambretta to the Australian market, the brand has confirmed they’ll be at the event, showcasing their fresh scooter range. The…

Yamaha’s MT model range may have one of the newest owner’s clubs in Australia, but based on response to the first-ever all-MT gathering, it’s also one of the most devoted. That gathering, dubbed ‘Australia’s Biggest MT Meet’, was held at the Grey Gum Café at Putty, NSW, on Sunday, 26 August. Sure, the title may have been a little cheeky, but it was accurate, as, to the best knowledge of event organiser, Leon Cutts, no “MT only” gathering has ever been conducted here before. “I know how popular the bikes are and realised that no-one had organised an event for the many passionate owners,” explained Leon, who’s also the administrator of the MT-10 worldwide Facebook group. A 31-year-old diesel mechanic from Singleton, Leon previously owned an R1 that he’d turned…

When Indian first served up its Scout a few years back, I was a little disenchanted. Much like I am when a craft beer lets me down by being too much about craft and too little about beer. I liked the Scout – it went well enough, was nice and low, and came painted in calm, non-threatening colours. In short, it was a beaut little around-town cruiser, with a total cracker of an engine but all the outlaw appeal of picnic blanket – which is what I was disenchanted about. There was so much potential in the Scout. That much was obvious. That motor was a bona fide gem, and the Scout had a unique visual profile and some very cool styling cues. So I viewed it, like I view…

QUESTION: WHAT’S A SUITABLE DAY BAG FOR THE BMW S 1000 R? ANSWER: THE KRIEGA US-10. After a week road testing a Kriega US-10 Drypack on our long-term S 1000 R, we found its capacity to be perfect for those day trips when you need to carry a small amount of cargo, a change of clothes or to stow extra layers after departing on those cold mornings. KRIEGA US-10 – THE GOOD STUFF FASTENERS - Neat and easy to hide under the pillion seat when not in use, the fasteners are simple webbing (tie down material) straps that have a loop at each end. There are four fasteners in total – one for each corner of the bag - that connect to alloy clips that slide through the loops. The…

As this issue of JUST BIKES was going to press, Ant West was looking at finishing the remainder of the 2018 FIM World Supersport Championship on the sidelines following a provisional suspension for a doping violation. On 14 September, the opening day of the Portimao WSBK/WSS round, the FIM released a statement saying that a urine sample provided by West at the Misano round in July came back from a WADAaccredited laboratory with an “Adverse Analytical Finding of a non-specified substance under Section 6 (Stimulants) of the 2018 FIM Prohibited List.” Enacting Article 7.9 of the FIM Anti-Doping code, West was immediately placed under provisional suspension, meaning he could not race at Portimao, nor any other motorcycle competition until further notice. Presumably, this “further notice” means until a B sample…

Two of the most inappropriately overused words in advertising these days are “fun” and “quality”. For example, the newest chocolate bar from Cadbury does not provide ‘even more fun’ and the trash featured on infomercial TV is rarely ‘quality’, despite what the loud, fast-talking (and usually English accented) spruiker tells us. As such, it’s a relief to come across something described as ‘fun’ and ‘quality’ that actually is. I’m talking about the recently-released Leoncino Trail from Benelli. Yes, Benelli did use the word ‘fun’ in the press release for the new arrival, but it’s an accurate description, at least based on my experience with the bike at the Australian media launch this past August. On the quality side of the equation, the Leoncino Trail belies the stigma usually attached to…