Innehållsförteckning för #365 19-11 från Just Bikes

After debuting their new ‘Triumph Factory Custom’ (TFC) series on the Thruxton earlier this year (see JUST BIKES #362), Triumph have announced more details on the next model in the programme; the ‘Rocket 3 TFC’. Like the Thruxton before it, the Rocket 3 will be limited to just 750 units globally and comes in for some substantial modifications under the TFC banner, starting with what’s being described as an all-new three-cylinder engine and including more standard tech features, premium braking and suspension components, carbon fibre bodywork and a more premium feel and finish. Triumph are boldly calling the Rocket 3 TFC “nothing short of the ultimate motorcycle”. ENGINE OVERHAUL The standard Rocket 3 is already a beast with its 2,294cc powerplant that produces 109kW and 221Nm, but the TFC version…

After initially being postponed back in March, this year’s Australian Four Day Enduro has been formally cancelled. The official announcement was made by Motorcycling Australia (MA) on 11 April, following confirmation by organising bodies, the Motorcycling New South Wales Enduro Committee and Far South Coast Motorcycle Club. The reason given for the cancellation was “government approval delays surrounding the environment” in the Moruya area where this year’s A4DE was to be held on 1 – 4 May. Moruya has hosted a four day previously, so the reasons for this year’s cancellation are mystifying, with the official statement not elaborating on what those approval delays consisted of, nor who was responsible for them. A part of the Australian motorcycle competition calendar since 1978, this latest debacle marks the second A4DE to…

I ’ve got to admit it: I’m a big fan of small sportsbikes, and Yamaha’s revised-for-2019 YZF-R3 is one of the best small sportsbikes I’ve ridden for some time. So, what’s the appeal? Super light-weight, razor-sharp handling, potent stoppers and, of course, limited power. What?! Don’t get me wrong… I’m as big a fan of 200hp+ sportsbikes as the next bloke (or blokette), but there’s something about having to “make do” with 40-odd horsepower that prompts an obsession with maintaining hard-won momentum, even through tight corners that would see an R1 rider brake hard before grabbing a handful of throttle on the exit. Of course, you can’t maintain momentum through tight corners unless you’re riding a machine that will carve through them with poise and confidence, and this is why…

The sand and the seaweed were flying this February when 122 solos and 12 sidecars, all built before 1963, hit South Australia’s iconic Sellicks Beach for the second historic motorcycle race meeting. After racing returned to Sellicks Beach in 2017 - for the first time in 60 years – the success of the event, created and hosted by the Levis Motorcycle Club, led to it becoming a biennial meeting. In its second iteration since that revival, this year’s racing, crowd and atmosphere was just as good as the 2017 event. Most of the competitors from 2017 returned this year, too, and they were ready for some serious racing on the mile-long loop course – characterised by two long straights and hairpin bends – on the sand at Sellicks Beach. None…

Yamaha Motor Australia’s off-road, agricultural and utility range are now available with a 4.99 per cent comparison finance rate as part of a special end of financial year sale. Subject to the usual approval processes, the finance offer is available on Grizzly, Kodiak, Viking and YXZ1000R quads, AG100, 125 and 200 models, XT250 and TTR230 dual-purpose machines, and a range of YZ MX and enduro bikes, including the YZ65, YZ250F, YZ450F, YZ250X and YZ450FX. The offer is also available on the WR450F enduro, including MY18 and selected earlier models. On top of the 4.99 per cent finance, selected models are also available with factory bonuses from $200 to $4,000. Terms and conditions apply, with the offer only valid until 30 June, 2019. See your Yamaha dealer for more details.…

After 32 years’ involvement with Kawasaki Motors Australia (KMA), Murray Sayle is set to retire from the company. Rightly considered Kawasaki royalty in Australia, and a regular at new-model launches and ride events for the brand, “Muzz” joined Kawasaki Motors Australia in 1987 after a racing career that had been characterised by success aboard the green bikes. “It has been a fantastic journey here at Kawasaki over the past 32 years,” Sayle said upon announcing his retirement on 24 April. “I have worked with our great staff and dealers and made some life-long friends. “I have been very lucky to have worked with our Japanese head office staff and visited Japan approximately twenty times. I have test ridden new products at the Auto Polis Race Course (Kyushu, Japan), the JARI…

On the eve of the Circuit of the Americas (CotA) round of this year’s MotoGP World Championship, the FIM and Dorna announced that Nicky Hayden’s racing number - 69 - will be permanently retired from premier class grand prix competition. Hayden, aka the Kentucky Kid, raced with #69 in all bar one of his 13 full seasons in MotoGP; the exception being 2007, when he raced with #1 after winning the 2006 World Championship. Hayden also raced with #69 in his time in AMA competition in the US prior to joining MotoGP in 2003 and continued to run the number when he moved to the Superbike World Championship (WSBK) in 2016. In May, 2017, partway through his second WSBK season, Hayden died following a cycling accident in Italy. Hayden had…

Suzuki Australia has announced a special offer on the GSX-R1000 ABS model, with rideaway pricing and extra standard equipment added to the championship-winning sportsbike. For a limited time, the current, sixth generation GSX-R1000 ABS is available for $17,990 rideaway; a saving of around $2,000 on the regular rideaway price. Additional to the rideaway pricing, the deal also includes the bi-directional quickshifter from the GSX-R1000R, for clutchless up and down shifting. The MY19 GSX-R1000 ABS features a DOHC 1000cc inline four-cylinder engine producing 148.6kW at 13,200rpm and 117.6Nm at 10,800rpm, with technologies developed in Suzuki’s MotoGP campaign including variable valve timing, finger follower valve train and a cassette-style 6-speed gearbox. Other tech includes the Suzuki Easy Start System, Low RPM Assist, Motion Track Brake System, Motion Track TCS traction control and…

When Toby Price defends his Dakar title next year, he’ll be doing it on all-new course, in an all-new country when the marathon rally raid moves to Saudi Arabia. In an announcement made on 25 April, Dakar organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) confirmed that the 42nd edition of the rally will take place in Saudi Arabia. In its first three decades before the relocation to South America in 2009, the Dakar has never visited Saudi Arabia; the closest the rally raid has come was Sharm el Sheikh on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in 2003. “Africa, South America… and now Asia. The third chapter of its history is particularly fascinating and exciting for a race focused on exploration like the Dakar,” David Castera, Dakar director, explained. “Here, in the largest state in…

Yamaha and KTM VIP hospitality packages are available for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island this 25 to 27 October. Yamaha’s MotoGPVIP hospitality package is always the hottest ticket in town, and this year’s package starts with 3-day access to the circuit and Yamaha’s own undercover corporate suite on Gardner Straight with trackside and grandstand seating. Buffet meals are included each day, with a cash bar and barista coffee on site, too. Daily pitlane walks and an exclusive Yamaha gift pack are included, with complimentary parking (1 car or 2 bikes) thrown in when you purchase four tickets in one transaction. Tickets are $1,099.00 (incl. GST) each for adults, with kid’s tickets (U/12) $699.00 each. Go to: yamahamotor.com.au and follow the links, or phone 1300 79 69 79…

For most people, a cancer diagnosis changes their world. For Bob Dibble, it didn’t so much change his world, but it did inspire him to see more of it – in an unusual way. Rather than a luxury cruise or guided tour through the world’s beauty spots, Bob instead chose to ride the world. On a humble Honda CT 110 ‘postie bike’, Bob travelled through countries, climates and conditions that’d stretch the capabilities of the most modern adventure bike, let alone something designed for nothing more than a suburban street. What made Bob’s round-the-world journey all the more remarkable was that he had that little postie bike fitted with a home-made sidecar and did the entire journey solo. Here’s how it all unfolded…. THIRD TIME ROUND A spirit of adventure…