Innehållsförteckning för #387 21-07 från Just Bikes

Sales of new motorcycles in Australia increased by more than 22 per cent in 2020, defying early predictions of a sales slump under COVID-19. Based on data provided by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), new bike sales increased for the first time in four years, with total sales of 108,926 being not only a 22.1 per cent increase on 2019 numbers but also the industry’s best annual result since 2016, when 114,770 new motorcycle sales were recorded. As with past years, the 2020 figures only cover FCAI members, so the likes of Royal Enfield, MV Agusta, Benelli, CF Moto, Kymco and other non-FCAI members are not included in the numbers. Of the four main market segments – road, off-road, OHV and scooter – only the latter saw a…

Given that last year’s Australian Motocross Championship was shut down before it got underway and a 2021 series is no guarantee, why would you buy a motocross bike at the moment? The simple answer to that question is that motocross in this country doesn’t start and end with a national series. Despite COVID, some elements of state- and club-level competition thrived last year, proving that motorsport can be held during a pandemic, albeit under safe, socially-distanced conditions and at a more modest level than what some of us are used to. Let’s face it, when you’ve got the helmet, nylons and gloves on at your local MX track, motorcycling is arguably the ultimate form of social distancing! And let’s not forget that, in the mad, mad year that was 2020,…

From the SR400 to the VMAX, XJR1300, SCR950 and Bolt, a wide variety of current and recent Yamaha motorcycles have been turned into unique creations under the manufacturer’s ‘Yard Built’ programme. The XSR700 and XSR900 have been popular bases for custom builds, too, and one of the most recent Yard Built creations is the unit pictured - the ‘XR9 Carbona’. Unveiled in December, the XR9 Carbona is based on the XSR900 and is the first Yard Built project to come from Spanish company Bottpower. TWIN TURNS TO A TRIPLE If the Bottpower name is unfamiliar, the origins of that name likely will be. ‘Bott’ refers to ‘Battle Of The Twins’; the racing category born in the early 1980s and heavily populated with American v-twins, but one that most Aussies associate…

Australia and New Zealand will soon welcome a new player in the enduro market with the arrival of Rieju. It’s a new name to most Aussies, but Rieju has a long history in its native Spain, is the country’s oldest active motorcycle manufacturer and has a strong following in Europe. Rieju enduro models will be offered in 200cc, 250cc and 300cc capacity, all of which are based on Gas Gas’s enduro platform, which Rieju acquired the rights to after that brand came under KTM ownership. The models set for local release represent a fraction of Rieju’s current output, with smaller-capacity off-road models, road bikes, sports models, supermotards and scooters also in the range. Most of these are in 50cc and 125cc capacities, while Rieju also produce a range of electric…

Honda Australia has announced details of the 2021 GL1800 Gold Wing, which is due for release before the middle of 2021. Two variants will be available: the bagger-style base model Gold Wing (pictured) and the more traditional and touring-ready Gold Wing Tour Premium. Following a comprehensive makeover for the 2018 model year that included the adoption of a double wishbone front suspension, optional DCT transmission, reduced weight and increased agility, the changes are minor for 2021. Both variants get an upgraded audio system with improved speaker quality, as well as new colours. The Gold Wing Tour Premium adds a redesigned seat in suede and synthetic leather and revises the backrest angle to improve pillion comfort. The Tour Premium also increases top box capacity from 50 litres to 61 litres –…

Oli Bayliss has made the next step in his racing career, confirming he’ll race in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) this year with DesmoSport Ducati. After a successful introduction to the Panigale V4 R last year, DesmoSport Ducati co-owners, Ben Henry and Oli’s dad Troy Bayliss, felt that the time was right for the 17-year-old to make the move to Australia’s premier road racing category. “I’m really excited to move up to Superbikes this year, and I really appreciate the faith that Ben, Dad and Ducati have put in me,” Oli said. “I’m training harder than ever and I can’t wait to jump on my DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R.” Oli made his national level competition debut in 2016 in the Australian up-to-300cc Production Championship, progressing to the Australian Supersport…

Collaborations between motorcycle manufacturers and car companies aren’t completely unheard of, but they’re rare enough to attract attention when they do. Such was the case when a collaboration between MV Agusta and Alpine was announced last December. According to MV Agusta, the collaboration draws on the common passion of both MV Agusta’s and Alpine’s customers for “breathtaking design and beautifully engineered products”. Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta, added that many Alpine customers are also big MV Agusta fans, and vice-versa, so something that combines the two would “bring the two worlds together”. Beyond being premium brands, both MV Agusta and Alpine share a long and successful history in racing, so a union between the two made even more sense. The result of that union is a limited-edition version of…

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Moto Guzzi has unveiled some details on their updated V7 for 2021. While it may look the same as the outgoing V7 at first glance, the incoming version has been updated in several areas, starting with a new engine, new exhaust and stronger shaft drive system. Styling changes have been made from nose to tail, too, including a new seat and new side covers, while the V7 Stone gets new-look wheels, a new headlight design (that’s part of a full LED lighting package) and new instrumentation. V85 ENGINE UPGRADE The key change for the 2021 V7 is the adoption of a new 853cc engine, based on the unit from the V85 TT and replacing the “small block” 744cc engine that’s been powering the Moto Guzzi roadster since its rebirth in…

A 1968 Bultaco TSS 250 race bike campaigned by two-time 500cc World Champion Barry Sheene was one of the star consignments at H&H Classics’ auction at the UK’s National Motorcycle Museum this past December. The ex-Sheene bike was joined by a broad range of classic British motorcycles, including Series B and C Vincent-HRD Rapides, a 1966 Velocette Thruxton and numerous BSA, Triumph, Norton, Matchless and AJS models. European and Japanese machinery also featured amongst the 175 lots on offer, as did oddities and rarities, like a Sinclair C5 electric trike, Heinkel and Rumi scooters, a French-made Automoto AD and Norton F1 JPS rotary. There was also a selection of more than two dozen “duplicates” from the National Motorcycle Museum collection, plus a barn find collection of seven motorcycles from the…

You can’t accuse Yamaha of limiting options for scooter buyers. At present, there are six models to choose from, ranging from the big TMAX 560 touring scooter to the compact D’elight 125 city commuter. There’s also the Tricity 300 and 155 threewheelers in the range. All are LAMS approved and all are affordable, but none more so than the D’elight 125, which comes in at a snip under $3,600 ride away. That pricing is set to increase when an updated, restyled and more advanced version arrives here later this year, but what won’t change is this scooter’s light weight, impressive standard features and unbeatable fuel economy. SMART STARTER If you’re keen to take up riding, but find a lot of motorcycles intimidating in terms of size and weight, the D’elight…

Given the long history and iconic status of Italian brands Ducati and Lamborghini, it’s surprising the two have never had any formal collaboration. Each company’s respective headquarters are just a half hour’s ride away from each other in Italy’s “Motor Valley” and both have sat under the VW umbrella for a few years now, which makes the lack of any official partnerships in the recent past even more surprising. Sure, Lamborghini has been a title sponsor of the satellite Pramac Racing Ducati team in MotoGP, but that’s about it. Recently, the two companies formally united for the first time and a special Ducati – the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini - was the result. 1260 S BASED, SIÀN INSPIRED Announced back in November, the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini is a limited-edition version of…