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Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08What an adventure!LIKE MANY THINGS in 2021, we had to bump the annual AMCN adventure issue this year due to bloody Covid. But here it is… not entirely as we had originally planned it, but certainly 164 pages chock-full of adventure bike goodness.Plan A involved a ride to the far west of NSW. We were going grab a bunch of brand-spanking new adventure bikes – a few out of Melbourne, a few out of Sydney and one out of Brisbane – and meet up somewhere near Menindee. After years of crippling drought, the lakes around Menindee are currently full of water, and it would have been fantastic to see them in this state, as well as to get a couple of thousand clicks of red sand under our wheels.But when NSW was…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08SALES KEEP GROWING… WE THINKTHE RISE OF motorcycle and quad-type vehicles continues to increase, up 8.3 percent in the period from January to the end of September. Sparse figures issued by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) lack detail on exactly what models are top sellers but confirm a 2.2 percent increase in roadbikes, 10.5 percent in off-road, 14.1 percent in OHV (quad-types vehicles) and 1.5 percent in scooters. Total sales of 86,239 units compare with 79,623 over the same period in 2020.The FCAI is limiting the information it gives on market sales and trends. AMCN believes the decision is because it doesn’t want this detail being available to the many brands and importers which are not FCAI members.One way to glimpse how sales of particular models are going is through our recall…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08SCOOT INTO ADVENTUREOFF-ROAD-STYLE scooters are poised to become the two-wheeled equivalent of those small SUVs you see populating the suburbs. Honda’s X-ADV was the first to add Adventure bike looks to the chassis and engine of its NC750-based Integra. Now Peugeot is developing a duo of Adventure scooters, which look like upping the ante when it comes to real off-road ability.A 125cc and 400cc version, based on the engine and transmission from the Metropolis, genuinely appear to be designed to get dirty. Our early spy shots show prototypes with high-rise suspension, an upside-down fork and radial front brake calipers, allied to an unusual rear suspension.Although the triangular-shaped swingarms, which also carry the engine-transmission units, appear similar to Peugeot’s normal scooters, there’s a vertical A-frame mounted where the rear coil-overs would normally attach.…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08AMCN’S THERMOMETERBack on trackAfter a two-year absence, Phillip Island (14-16 Oc) returns to an expanded 2022 MotoGP calendar that should include new rounds in Indonesia and FinlandMaxed outDespite winning the most number of races, including the final, Aussie KTM factory rider Max Whale finished second overall in the AMA AFT Singles flat-track championshipMir miredSuzuki’s 2020 MotoGP champ Joan Mir continues a nightmare season, clashing again with Aussie Jack Miller in Texas and conceding his chances to regain the crownOh deerProof that feral wildlife is getting closer to civilisation comes with the news that a Gold Coast motorcyclist has ended up in hospital after hitting a deer in the suburb of Robina…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08RECALL ROSTER→ MODEL 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Bullet 500, Classic 500→ IMPORTER Urban Moto Imports→ NUMBER OF AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES 1101→ ISSUE The ignition coil may fail, which may cause engine misfires→ HAZARD A loss in power and/or an electrical short circuit while riding→ MODEL 2014-2020 Ducati Monster 1200, Monster 1200 R, Monster 1200 S, Monster 821→ IMPORTER Ducati Motor Holding SpA→ NUMBER OF AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES 85→ ISSUE The rear brake hoses may not meet manufacturing specifications and could be susceptible to heat damage→ HAZARD A loss of rear braking performance→ MODEL 2019 Ducati Hypermotard 950 SP→ IMPORTER Ducati Motor Holding SpA→ NUMBER OF AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES 11→ ISSUE The side stand mounting bracket may become damaged over time→ HAZARD The motorcycle may fall over…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08accessAccess, AMCN, PO Box 6, Bittern, Vic, 3918access@amcn.com.auOGIO Drifter Dark Static Back PackWin OGIO’s ultra-padded air-mesh backpack valued at $119!Include your full name and address in your letter, via post or email. Long letters will be cut to fit, so don’t ramble. The views expressed by readers are not necessarily those of the editor.Letter of the issueCatching upIt’s got to be tough going for the premium bike brands these days now that it looks like the Chinese manufacturers are finally getting their sh*t together. I know that premium brand names are coveted by riders and they’ll continue to fork out big dollars for the latest tech and sky-high performance figures, but for how much longer?Sure, there’s plenty of Chinese brands still playing catch up, but that 700cc CFMoto Heritage (AMCN…7 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Corsa MultiThis isn’t your average media test. Normally before you’re let loose on a new bike, you and a dozen others are shuffled into a room where you’re regaled with the features and specs in a bid to convince you the bike you’re about to ride is an unequivocal improvement over the outgoing equivalent.Not this time. I’m one of just three people standing in the pits of a tight and twisty track next to a machine I don’t even know the name of. Sure, I know it’s a Ducati Multistrada V4, and that it’s a higher-spec road-going version much like the firm’s Pikes Peak editions of years gone by. But I don’t know what it weighs, I don’t know its power and torque figures, other than what I can see and…8 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08THE REAL DEALAFTER JUST SPENDING the last however many pages trying to convince you that you don’t need an adventure bike to have great adventures, the third model due to spin from this super capable 660 platform is, of course, an adventure bike.Aprilia has been teasing us with glimpses of the bike that’s set to revive a moniker long associated with adventure riding since the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show, and now the 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 is nearly here.Using the same 659cc engine that’s been retuned for improved low-to-midrange torque better suited to adventure use, it’ll be good for 80hp and 70Nm of torque from an overall package that weighs 18kg more than the Tuono at 187kg (dry).Set to boast all the electronic fruit of its two siblings, the wheelbase will be…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08TRAVELLING SHOWMANNinety minutes! That’s how long it took a Ducati tech to explain the features of the Multistrada V4 S to me. And that’s after I had already ridden the bike for a couple of days to familiarise myself with it.This fourth-generation Multistrada is an impressive bit of kit, and in V4 S trim as tested here it’s jam-packed with high-tech features including several riding modes, self-levelling semi-active Marzocchi Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Ducati Cornering Lights, Vehicle Hold Control and much, much more.The good news is that none of this tech detracts from the riding experience, and once you learn how to operate the bike’s various functions using the joystick on the left handlebar, and all displayed on the bright 6.5-inch TFT…13 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08V4 GRANTURISMODUCATI SAYS THE Multistrada’s V4 Granturismo engine has been designed for smoothness and record-breaking maintenance intervals, two traits not often associated with Ducati powerplants.The Euro-5 compliant engine is an 1158cc 90° V4 that makes a claimed 125kW of power at 10,500rpm and 125Nm of torque at 8750rpm. It has a counter-rotating crankshaft (for improved handling and agility) and crank pins offset at 70° resulting in a twin-pulse firing order that makes it feel a bit like a V-twin rather than a V4.The rear cylinder bank is deactivated at idle to minimise heat transfer to the rider and improve fuel economy. Fuelling is via four 46mm throttle bodies and the valves are spring operated rather than desmodromic. The change to springoperated valves extends the service interval for clearance checking to 60,000km.The…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08WHEN ONE BECAME TWOONCE FUTURE SPORT Motorcycles had finished building Houlihan’s practice bike in Townsville it went on a truck to Brisbane where Andrew flew to meet it. With his riding gear in a shopping bag, he unloaded the bike off the truck on the side of the road, got dressed and set off for Albury. The plan was to avoid sealed roads as much as possible – of the 1400km return journey, 1100km was dirt roads, forest trails and farm tracks.In the 12 weeks since he took delivery, Houlihan clocked 10,000km on the 890. His training program consisted of at least 2500km every weekend and a further seven hours a week studying and building practice roadbooks.Houlihan was entered in the four-day, 1200km Sunraysia Safari, a navigation rally due to be held in…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08CHOOSING YOUR BIKEYou can travel on whatever motorcycle you like - don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It all depends on the kind of trip you want and what motorcycle fits your needs. Some say you need to re-mortgage your house to buy a bank-busting, fully-loaded beast. And the other school of thought is that you need a stripped back, lightweight off-roader to throw down the Road of Bones. And while these people are arguing away, you meet a traveller in the middle of the Pamir Mountains on a clapped-out 125cc moped who’s just getting on with it. There’s no right or wrong answer. There’s just figuring out what you want and picking what suits that. And these considerations will help narrow down the options:ROAD VERSUS OFF-ROAD: If you’re focused on the…5 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08GO FOR BROKEEver since the first de Dion-Bouton tricycle hit the cobblestones, it provided the ideal means to discover whether the beer in the next county was better than the local brew. And possibly return in time for dinner. In 1900 Billy Elliot rode his de Dion from Melbourne to Sydney simply to test the claim that Reschs refreshes better than Carlton United’s brew. Not long after, Queenslander Will Peverill claimed a record for the longest motorcycle ride on earth; from Melbourne to Sydney and return. His mount was a belt-driven, Peerless powered Fafnir. And yes, Will preferred the XXXX.And there’s been some epic and admirable adventures in this country ever since. Like speedway champ Jeff Munro’s 1928 circumnavigation of Oz on a 500cc Ariel, Joy McKean’s 16,000km journey on a 125cc…11 min
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Is my Tuono 660 restricted ?Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08ROAD TO KNOW WHERETYRES THAT FALL in the 70/30 road to off-road segment, like Metzeler’s Karoo Street, make similar claims to what the 90/10s do – excellent road grip and mileage for the punter who likes to go off road very occasionally. That’s true, but it’s obvious from the tread patterns – and the segment name – that they just lean a little further towards the dirt end of town. Adventure tyres are like a seesaw, if you give a little more at one end, say more off-road bias, then you lose a similar amount at the other end. And so it is with the 70/30s.Like the 90/10s, a carcass construction that resists punctures and favours on-road stability remains – it’s the tread and compounds where the main difference lies. These tyres have…4 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08PINNED!Hillclimbs are about as spectacular as motorcycle racing gets. Held on a steep, sealed track with countless hairpins, or straight up the side of a snotty steep hillside, hillclimb racing has attracted large and whooping crowds for well over a century.In America during the 1910s and 1920s, it wasn’t uncommon for these events to attract tens of thousands of delighted spectators, all drunk on the delights of witnessing the savage co*cktail of brute engine power, unforgivably steep angles and the acrobatics required to keep the whole thing in check as riders keep the throttle pinned in a bid to get to the top the quickest.In 1900, entrepreneurs George Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom decided to build a motorised bicycle and introduce it to the world by launching it up the…10 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Decade of adventureTEN YEARS AGO when Triumph launched its Tiger 800 XC it also released a range of adventure-touring clothing. The aptly-named Adventure Jacket I was given on that launch back in 2011 is still a favourite all-round piece of riding kit a decade later.I’ve worn it riding in such diverse places as the vinduro course at the Broadford Bike Bonanza and the backroads of the Balkan states in eastern Europe, not to mention the length of New Zealand in all kinds of weather.Its waterproof inner shell has kept me dry and warm while the outer layer has a range of zips that allow complete ventilation in hot conditions. The perfect example of its everyday practicality was a chilly 5°C three-hour ride through New Zealand’s Southern Alps from the West Coast then…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Life’s adventureCONGRATULATIONS TO AMCN for getting another annual Adventure special done and dusted in these difficult times.At various periods in the past 18 months or so we’ve all had to sacrifice seat time on our motorcycles. We haven’t lost our love for adventure, just had to scale it back a bit. We’ve learnt that spending even 30 minutes on the motorcycle exploring a local dirt road to see where it ends up is a great way to clear the head.Eventually when things get back to some sort of normality we’ll really be able to explore our backyard again. For me (with Daryl Beattie Adventure tours), it’s a 1600km haul from the Gold Coast hinterland to Birdsville. Here the crossroads can take you to up to the Gulf Country, or over to…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Odendaal Fights BackUNUSUALLY THIS YEAR Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Yamaha) did not win a race, but actually had his pre-race points advantage trimmed again. Last time out he was missing having to race in MotoE when he should have been at Jerez. This time he was third in Race One in Portugal, but only fifth in Race Two, a race which his only real championship rival Steven Odendaal won – his first win since Race One at Most, in early August.Odendaal was sixth on Saturday, and after making very little ground up on the missing Aegerter in the previous Jerez round, he went back and reset and looked like his old championship-challenging self in Race Two.Aegerter ran off as he tried to get past a tough leading bunch in Race Two, then…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Fernadez wins, Gardner crashesTHE CHAMPIONSHIP fight was blown wide open in Austin as Raul Fernandez eased to his third straight win and Remy Gardner (Ajo Kalex) suffered a first nonscore of the season. That result owed much to the events of the opening laps. From a best qualifying result of fifth, home hero Cameron Beaubier (American Racing Kalex) led into turn one, albeit briefly.Crucially, pole sitter Fernandez got the American on the cut back and started to edge clear. Gardner got through, too, but Beaubier was back at turn one the following lap, taking second and bringing Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Kalex) through. Knowing he had the pace to go with Fernandez, the Australian was riled. Once back into second on the third lap, he set about reeling in his teammate, 1.3s ahead.…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08VIÑALES SITS OUT COTAIN LIGHT OF the tragedy at Jerez where his cousin lost his life, Maverick Vinales decided to sit the CoTA weekend out. The Catalan flew to Texas but came to the decision he wasn’t in the right mindset to compete when he landed on Wednesday.“I would have liked to race for my cousin but at the moment my emotions are too deep and it makes it difficult for me to remain focussed. Thank you all,” his announcement on social media read.A comment from the team said, “Less than a week has passed since the accident, which is not enough time to regain the serenity needed to race. Maverick, with the full and unconditional support of Aprilia Racing, has therefore decided to take a break on his journey of getting to…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08THE MIGUEL MYSTERYGOING INTO THE summer break, Miguel Oliveira appeared a decent outside shot of sustaining a championship challenge. The Portuguese rider was magnificent for three races, winning the Barcelona GP and finishing second at Mugello and the Sachsenring.But a practice crash at the Styrian GP led to a fissure on the radius bone in his right arm. From then he’s scored just seven points before CoTA, where 11th place was another disappointment.The poor run has baffled the rider, as well as crew chief Paul Trevathan.“If I could put an answer to it I’d be a happy man,” said the Kiwi. “We’ve both been scratching our heads and wondering what’s going on.“The worst thing was the injury. You come back from the break, have this injury straight away. It has been more…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Track time in TassieWHILE MOST OF the mainland’s state titles are in hibernation, Tassie racers came back from the winter break in perfect conditions at Symmons Plains on Father’s Day. However, the renewed exuberance saw several riders go down early in proceedings for Round 3 of the Tasmanian Road Race Championships.Saturday’s practice saw defending Superbike Champion Brett Simmonds (CBR1000RR) slide off at the end of the back straight, followed later in the day by Trevor Renton (Clubman Suzuki SV650), who dropped it in the bus stop.Sunday morning qualifying saw F3 class leader Boyd Witzerman (SV650) taken to hospital after going down at the Hairpin. Then in Race 1 for Supersports Rob Carnicelli high-sided off his GSX-R600 exiting the back straight on what was a contender for best presented bike. He took himself to…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Josh BrookesYou’re the reigning British Superbike champion, but it’s no exaggeration to say defending the title this year has been fraught with difficulty. What’s been the problem?I can’t say with absolute certainty what causes it, but right from the very start of the season we’ve struggled with a lack of grip. Our bike is the same as Scott Redding’s (WSBK Ducati V4 R Panigale), but with a MoTeC ECU, so there was a factory update on the engine for 2021, same as his. Our team go to Italy at the start of the year and build the bike at the factory, minus the bits that they don’t need like the ECU and its dedicated wiring harness, but the majority of the bike, mechanically, is the same as what Redding would have.So…5 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08GassitAustralian Motorcycle News road test photographs are posed for by skilled, professional riders under controlled circ*mstances. Attempting to imitate their actions may be dangerous. Australian Motorcycle News supports and endorses rider training and wearing protective riding gear. A horse is a horse? Of course, of course! At Gassit HQ, we have a horse named Vorst. In the last two weeks the big fella has been a blur of colour and movement, testing this bike, photographing that one, hauling adventure rubber on and off rims and when he had a few spare minutes, tapping out a few words to let us know what he has been up to. The Adventure Issue always demands a big effort but this time around, Pete has earned Fred’s Golden Merit Badge (and the last Tim…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Battle of BritainA MAJOR REDESIGN of its Tiger 1200 to make it capable of attacking big-bore market leaders and the impending release of a LAMS-spec Tiger 660 means Triumph has declared war on the Adventure bike segment.Latest information teased by the British manufacturer confirms the Tiger 1200 is a clean-sheet redesign intended to go to the very top of the Adventure bike class. Meanwhile last week’s launch of its Tiger Sport 660 now clears the way for the last of Triumph’s LAMS-based trio to be finalised for production.Triumph won’t admit it but we got a leaked image from a dealer meeting last year, before the Trident 660 was launched, showing all the three models. If the roadbased Tiger Sport 660 is any indication, the off-road Tiger 660 will challenge the existing market…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08TARMAC TWIN NOW, RETRO SLED LATERDUCATI HAS LAUNCHED the Multistrada V2 as a new entry level to its adventuresport road range but it has the retro DesertX dirt-roads blaster ready in the wings. Both cater to riders who think smaller is better than bigger but still want the latest rider tech.The V2 replaces the Multistrada 950 and has been tweaked to suit a wider range of riders, while its price keeps it in sight of buyers considering rivals such as BMW’s F 900 XR. The Multistrada 950’s 937cc V-twin engine is largely carried across with an identical 83kW at 9000rpm and 96Nm at 7750rpm, although new conrods, a revised clutch and clutch case, plus other minor changes make this engine 2kg lighter.Chassis and suspension are unchanged but the seat is 10mm lower at 830mm. To…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08BENELLI’S BUDGET CONTENDER?QIANJIANG, BENELLI’S CHINESE parent company, has filed patents for the styling of a new Adventure model using a 650cc V-twin engine that isn’t shared with anything in Benelli’s current range.Benelli’s existing parallel-twin TRK502 has been enjoying a sales boom in Italy this year, topping the Adventure segment for several months. Meanwhile, it has been developing a 750cc parallel-twin Adventure model, based on the Leoncino 800, and the Chinese market QJMotor SRT750 but it has yet to be officially launched.So you would have to think that a Benelli model based around this 650cc V-twin engine will appear.Its general design layout matches Suzuki’s SV650, including DOHC heads, so it will produce around 50kW.It’s bolted to a trellis-style frame in line with most of Benelli’s current models. Distinctive styling gives a Honda Africa…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Right Royal makeoverIT WOULD BE easy to say that Royal Enfield has introduced bold new colours on its 650cc twins for 2022 but there is more going on behind the scenes.The Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 are now Euro 5 compliant, meaning changes to the engine’s camshaft, electronic management system, ignition, intake and exhaust systems. RE says these changes have not altered current power and torque figures (35kW @ 7150rpm/52.3 Nm @ 5150rpm).Being Euro 5 gives RE a strong base for future development but at last week’s internet launch of the 2022 models, on sale in Australia now, officials stressed they would not expand the range to include other variants.They said the Interceptor and Continental GT will continue in their role as a blank canvas for customisers. Not developing other versions,…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Motorcycle MadnessONLY THREE MONTHS after participating in a recordbreaking ride from Brisbane to Perth in March 1925, Edward Charles ‘Ted’ Clarke found himself in the Perth Bankruptcy Court. Under examination, Clarke claimed several of his creditors had sued him successfully and, for the past two years he’d been in an unsatisfactory financial situation. Of the 10 horses he was said to have sold, three were worthless, one had died and he did not know what happened to the rest. Besides, he could not provide details as his wife operated his bank account.Clarke readily admitted though, that although he was skint, he had purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and sidecar using a £100 deposit advanced by his wife, and agreed to pay Mortlock Bros. £12 a month on the drip feed. Five months…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08socialsFcebookPost of the issueThe styling of the Aussiebuilt Savic prompted a few commentsInstagramDon’t Forget #amcn_magComment of the IssueCraig Stewart has his fingers crossed for the 2022 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island. But…“Knowing Victoria they will be in their 18th lockdown by then and cancel it…”Reaching outWant to see your pride and joy featured in AMCN?The only thing we love more than writing about bikes is looking at your bikes. Tag your social pics with @ aumotorcyclenews on Facebook or @ amcn_mag on Instagram, or fire them off in an email to amcn@amcn.com.au And don’t forget to tell us why you love it.Get it offyer chest!Got something funny, new, old or wise to say or share? Do it! Head to www.facebook.com/aumotorcyclenewsAMCN’S WEBSITE IS THE PLACE TO BE!Get all the latest motorcycle…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08X-cellent adventureBenelli’s TRK 502 and TRK 502X were, combined, the best-selling motorcycle in Italy in 2020. They look very similar, but the X has received a few teaks aimed at making it more suitable for off-road riding (see sidebar for differences between the two) and in doing so Benelli has brought a full-size adventure bike for those who don’t have tens of thousands of dollars to throw at one.The 502X is certainly a full-size adventure bike; it’s tall, looks ready for the dirty business and it’s quite handsome, with looks reminiscent of Ducati’s Multistrada and Triumph’s Tiger range. It’s also similar in weight to the current crop of adventure machines with a claimed weight of 213kg (dry). Fill the 20L tank to the brim and add fluids and you’re looking at…8 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08FLAGSHIP EnterpriseYamaha’s flagship adventure bike arrived on the scene in 2010 and I remember it generating more than its fair share of excitement. I was right into adventure bikes at the time and in the lead up to its release, there was lots of chatter around the bike trade. My memory says the fanfare lasted for a time after its release and then the big Ténéré seemed to just fade from thought.Very little changed between the time of its release and the launch of the 2017 upgrade, which most noticeably now sported electronically adjustable suspension. The Super Ten’s looks were modestly updated, but apart from that and a few other minor changes, it retained the same 1199cc water-cooled parallel twin with 270-degree crank and steel tube backbone frame. The Super Ten’s…9 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08AT A GLANCE1 LIGHT ME UPDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) and Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL). The latter light up the inside line as the Multistrada tips into a corner.2 STOP FASTBrakes are 330mm discs up front gripped by Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers and a single 265mm disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper.3 GETTING THEREFuel tank is 22-litres, which should result in a touring range of just over 300km. Fuel consumption on test was 6.7L/100km.4 MMMM… WARMSeats are comfortable for rider and pillion alike. Rider’s seat is heated and height adjustable. Pillion gets their own heat controls.5 ON THE LEVELSemi-active Marzocchi suspension is controlled by the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution system with Auto-levelling function.…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08DAKERDOGGEDNESSAndrew Houlihan’s got a hell of a lot of healing to do and not much time to do it. At the end of July, the 52-year-old Albury local and all-round good bloke crashed his heavily customised KTM 890 R Rally while training. Cresting a rise at an estimated 160km/h, he hit not one, but two kangaroos, and snapped his bike in half. As well as four broken ribs and broken bones in his hand, he broke his neck, fractured an eye socket and punctured a lung which then collapsed.At a time when most other 50-something year olds would call time on an international racing career, this bloke used his time in hospital to start planning a one-off custom build he’s calling a KTM 890 Dakar R. And Dakar 2022 is…8 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08THE GREAT AUSSIE pub CRAWLThe intrepid adventurer Ernest Hemingway wasn’t the first to acknowledge that “it’s good to have a destination but it’s the journey that matters.” However, even Ernie, who spent a night or two under canvas when he was blasting away at the African wildlife, never endorsed camping. That’s because there’s a far more engaging way to spend your evenings.Visualise the camper’s dream. A mild evening with the moon lighting up the ghost gums and the water burbling over the gibbers in the creek. The Milky Way above and the flicker of the campfire add ambience to the scene, as you sip a red from your enamel cup, drifting off to sleep on top of your swag.Then the squadrons of mosquitoes attack. If you’re lucky, you’ll have crawled into your swag before…10 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08WHAT TO PACKPERSONAL CLOTHING: Pack light, small and smart. Wash your clothes more regularly and take less in the first place. Ditch all cotton and go for synthetics and wool instead as it’ll keep you both cooler and warmer when needs be, dry quicker and wick sweat and moisture away from your skin. Most clothing bulk comes from evening wear in colder temperatures. Consider using a lightweight, thermal down jacket that scrunches up into a small stuff sack. This can double up as your motorcycle thermal and your evening/camping jacket. There’s no point carrying a big woolly jumper for when you’re off the bike and using another thermal jacket for riding.ELECTRONICS: The important electronics are your mobile phone, charger and adapter. Your phone can be your sat-nav, translator, camera and used for…4 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Rally theHOOPS!Not all adventure tyres are created equal, and I’m not talking about the difference in brand offerings, I’m talking styles. What style of tyre you choose can depend on what type of riding you do most, what riding you get the most enjoyment out of, how quick you like to ride on and off-road, how much cash you’re willing to throw away and, well, how big your ego is.I’m happy to exchange durability and road performance for off-road chops, but perhaps you do lots of two-up touring, ride to work each day, and venture down a fire trail every blue moon. You and I require a different type of tyre for our adventure bikes.So rather than bring you a tyre test in which we put a bunch of different brands…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08DIRT EATERSFOR THE TRUE adventurer, 60/40s are where it’s at, if you want your cake and want to eat it too. They are the best compromise between road and off-road performance, and they do both well. All the major brands’ offerings in this segment run a dirt-focussed knobby tread – that’s great for off-road riding, right? But how’s that going to roll on the street? Quite well, as it turns out.Compared to a motocross-style knobby, adventure tyres run very solid carcass constructions that improve sidewall stability, which is what allows the tyre to deal with the demands of heavy weights and big horsepower. So even a 60/40 tyre carries over a lot of technology from the sportsbike world.Although the tread-pattern blocks are large and have a sharper edge to them, they…4 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Upper explorationWHEN IT COMES to quality, performance and that swanky street-cred factor, for a long time Dainese has been at the pointy end of the market, especially its higher-end stuff. But just like with motorcycles, where certain technology once reserved for higher-end machinery is starting to appear on more affordable bikes thanks to increased development and the lower cost of production, it’s a similar story for textiles and riding apparel.As regular readers would be aware, I’m really happy with my current mid-priced adventure jacket and pants. It’s proved hugely versatile in all sorts of weather, and the fit and comfort for my bigger build has been great – which is surprisingly hard to say these days. So I’m really keen to see how this new Dainese gear stacks up and if…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08topgear1 OUT ON THE RAGNARCassons Australia From $1249.90(02) 8882 1900cassonsmedia.comThe Ixon Ragnar jacket and pant is a versatile 3-in-1 set that leaves nothing to chance in terms of safety and tech. It is designed to suit all weather conditions, thanks to an X-Dry waterproof and breathable liner, and removable thermal liner. Also available separately: jacket $699.95; pant $549.95.2 WIND AWAY ALL DAYTouratech Australia $263(03) 5729 5529touratech.com.auThe Touratech windscreen deflector Evo fits all OE and Touratech windscreens. It’s designed to provide the right balance of protection and ventilation, and is height and inclination adjustable. Laterally fixed holders don’t impede field of view. Available in clear or tinted finishes.3 I’VE BEEN FRAMED!Andy Strapz $395(03) 9786 3445andystrapz.comThe team at Andy Strapz has developed a new frame set for KTM 1290 models to accommodate…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08The uneasy crownTO SAY THAT Fabio Quartararo has one hand on the 2021 MotoGP World Championship understates the case. He has one arm right round it, and the other (heavily tattooed) carefully manipulating throttle and brake to make sure he doesn’t mess it up.The 22-year-old need only finish one place ahead of his last remaining rival Pecco Bagnaia at the next round at Misano to become the first French premier-class champion in more than 70 years of grand prix history. Put another way, if the Italian Ducati rider wins all three remaining races, Fabio need only finish eighth at all three.The self-styled ‘Devil’ (El Diablo) has put on a masterfully complete display. Very well-rounded. He’s had front-row starts at 14 of 15 races including four poles, thus demonstrating great prowess over just…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Huertas championADRIAN HUERTAS (MTM Kawasaki) became the 2021 FIM Supersport300 world champion after a Saturday collision between him and his only championship rival Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) saw the Dutch rider fall and no score, and Huertas get on the podium.The final Race One result was revised, with first-time victor Samuel De Sora (Team Flembbo Racing Kawasaki) winning by 0.067sec from Huertas and the penalised MTM Kawasaki rider, Yuta Okaya, who went clearly on the green track limits on the final lap.Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Yamaha MotoxRacing) was fourth and now declared-fit rider Tom Booth-Amos (Fusport - RT Motorsports by SKM Kawasaki) fifth, despite a painful shoulder fracture.In the second race, Huertas got his sixth win of the year to underline his form in a title year, won by being able to…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Guevara out, then upTHIS WAS SO nearly another tragedy. The race had already been restarted following a red flag on lap seven for Filip Salac’s (Pruestel KTM) high-side at turn 11. With TV schedules to be maintained, a five-lap shootout was slated to decide this result.A lead group of 10 were then contesting the lead when Deniz Oncu (Tech 3 KTM) swerved on the back straight and inadvertently cut off Jeremy Alcoba’s (Gresini Honda) front wheel. The Spaniard went down at 225km/h with Andrea Migno (Snipers Honda) and Pedro Acosta (Ajo KTM) being launched over his bike with sickening violence. Acosta, in particular, was a concern after flying close to 40m before thudding against the trackside armo. Miraculously, all three walked away.According to article 1.26.6. of the rulebook, results were then taken from…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08LEATHER ALTERATION AIDS MARQUEZAFTER A CRUSHING lights-to-flag victory in Austin, Marc Marquez showed yet again that he is still a force, even in his reduced physical state, as his right arm and shoulder continue to heal.He later revealed that a change to the right shoulder of his leathers has recently allowed him to move around on the bike.“In Aragon I was struggling with a lot of pain in the shoulder,” he said.“When you have pain, everything disturbs you. With Alpinestars we made the shoulder a bit bigger to have more mobility. Then we keep with that modification”On how his riding is still affected, Marquez added, “Still from the brake point to going in, still I don’t feel comfortable like always. I cannot slide the bike and turn. That was one of my strong…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08O’Halloran under pressureTHE PENULTIMATE round of the British Superbike Championship was at Donington Park over 1-3 October, where McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie dealt a blow to Aussie teammate Jason O’Halloran’s title chances as he heads to the last triple header with a 10-point advantage.The duo struggled in the opening wet race however, as Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) mastered treacherous conditions to score his first victory of the season, holding off Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) and Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati).Sunday presented perfect sunshine for race two but O’Halloran, starting in 10th, became stuck in a mid-pack battle with the Irwin brothers and Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW). In contrast Mackenzie, who started 13th, steadily pushed forward and with six laps to run was closing on Rea for a…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08“It was the first time I’d raced a bike with brakes!”IT WAS ONLY a Friday-night practice session, but the moment 17-year-old Johnny Dewhurst witnessed the action at Tracey’s Speedway in Melbourne’s Maribyrnong, he was hooked. He scratched 50 quid together and bought a tired old JAP on which to join the then-thriving speedway scene.Just three years later he’d been talent spotted as a potential international recruit, receiving several attractive offers to race in Britain. However, Gordana, his even more attractive Austrian-born bride convinced him the Australian speedway scene was a far better career option, which is how Dewhurst became known as the King of Brooklyn when Tracey’s Speedway was absorbed into Melbourne’s suburbia in 1964.By then, the pair had welcomed a son they named Darren and commenced a full circuit of the speedways of Australia towing Johnny’s new Jawa. From…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08KAWASAKI’S RETRO LAMSBUILDING ON THE success of its Z900RS, Kawasaki has turned its Z650 into the retro-styled Z650RS. Two versions were unveiled, however only the LAMS-compliant version will be made abvailable in Australia.A classically circular headlight, twin analogue clocks, trad-style tank and Kawasaki’s signature duck tail seat unit triggers spectres of the original Z1 and Z650 models.Throw in some classic paint jobs – notably the pinstriped green option with gold wheels – and the transformation is complete.Such is the similarity to the Z650L, which also runs a 649cc water-cooled parallel-twin engine making 37.8kW of power at 8000rpm and 59Nm of torque at 6500rpm, that the Z650 has the same seat height and weighs just 1kg less at 187kg wetIt arrives later this year with pricing to be announced.…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08LAMS TIGER BARES CLAWSAFTER SHIPPING 12,500 Trident 660s since its launch earlier this year, Triumph has released the Tiger 660, an Adventure-Sports version. Adamant that it is not intended as an off-roader, Triumph has all but confirmed that a full-on Adventure version will follow.While the Tiger 660 is a relatively easy adaption of the Trident’s design, an Adventure version requiring longer suspension travel, a 19- or 21-inch front wheel and taller seat height will be a much more complicated exercise.Like the Trident, the Tiger 660 is a fresh approach to the Australian LAMS Adventure-sports market, offering the same crisp performance from its three-cylinder engine, segment-leading rider tech and, most importantly, the longest service intervals available.Long service intervals significantly reduce the cost of ownership, adding value to the already-competitive ride away price of $14,690…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Briefs90Europe’s Federation of European Motorcycle Associations says over 90 percent of riders oppose a future ban on petrol power.“IT’S LIKE RUSSIAN ROULETTE”Nine-times world champ and former Moto3 team owner Valentino Rossi’s view of the fivelap Moto3 sprint race at the Austin MotoGP round in Texas.GOT A PUNCTUREAussie motorcycle tour pioneer Mike Ferris (World on Wheels) has posted an image of his beloved Royal Enfield tattoo getting a rear-tyre puncture as he receives his jab in preparation to return to touring.COMPASS TAKES NEW BEARINGVictorian-based international tour company Compass Expeditions is back in action with new management and an expanded itinerary for 2022-23. It includes major expeditions to South America, London to Madagan (Road of Bones) and Cape Town to Cairo, along with shorter tours, including a lap of Tassie with Charley…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08SAVIC FUNDING MEANS GOAFTER A SIGNIFICANT cash injection Savic Motorcycles has announced it will be going into full production in Melbourne next year, making it the first electric motorcycle to be designed and built in Australia.Savic expects to have three models on the road by late 2022.The crucial funding came via investment from the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre under the Federal Government’s $30 million Commercialisation Fund. The co-investment of $657,000 from AMGC will be paired with funding contributions from Savic and its partners for a total project value of $1.14 million (including AMGC funds).Savic will offer three C-Series models: a 25-kilowatt Omega comparable to a 300cc), the 40kW Delta, and 60kw Alpha (roughly equivalent to a 1000cc bike). The Alpha has 200Nm of torque, powering it to 100km/h from a standing start in…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08reader rides YOUR BIKESTHESE ARE MY bikes, from left to right; 2006 KTM 950 Super Enduro, 2008 Ducati Monster 696, 2010 Suzuki Hayabusa, 2003 KTM 950 Adventure S that I’ve had this since new, my 2010 MV Brutale 1090 RR and my 2010 Ducati Steetfighter. The Monster and the MV are my wife’s bikes.Robert SchelleWITH TRIUMPH DOING great things, I thought I’d do the same and salute the 1050 Speed TripleI sourced a sub-4000km 2013 Triumph Speed Triple R and went to work and this is the end result. A 1200RS next?Steve BowlerHI AMCN, THESE are my bikes. The red one is a 1988 Honda GL145 with a motor swap to a 200cc. The green one is, well, everyone knows the Honda Cub. The black, white and red one is my baby, a…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Street SmartIs there a better feeling in the world than trying to work out how to strap camping gear onto the back of a motorcycle? I love gathering together everything I’ll need to head bush for a couple of days and then having to work out how to secure it to something not much bigger than a dinner plate.These days, most people do it on something slightly more appropriate. An adventure-style bike with a luggage rack, a long, wide seat and a bevy of tie down points. But it wasn’t all that long ago that that luxury didn’t really exist. Adventure bikes for many were the bikes we owned – sportsbikes, tourers, cruisers and nakedbikes – we’d pile them up and head off down a muddy dirt road with mates and…10 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08ROUGHING IT UPPLATE UPOur test bike is fitted with a tough GYTR bash plate ($302.30) and if you’re planning to take your Super Ten into the bush, I reckon a good bash plate is a must. The standard plastic thing has more in common with a McDonalds serving tray than a bash plate and that’s a problem for myriad reasons. The low-slung oil filter located at the front of the engine is just waiting to be smashed and, given I was finding the limits of the suspension over jumps in the hard setting, protecting the cases is a really good idea.ROCK THE CRASH BARThe side mounted radiators on the Tenere keep the beast compact, but they can be vulnerable in a stack. This bike is fitted with a very sturdy set of…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08ELECTRONIC AIDSAN INERTIAL MEASUREMENT Unit (IMU) manages the operation of the Multistrada V4 S’s Cornering ABS, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Cornering Lights (DCL).The IMU also communicates with the Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system, which analyses riding conditions and adjusts the fork and shock absorber instantly. The DSS also has an Autolevelling function that senses the load on the bike and autonomously adjusts the suspension in addition to the selected setting, whether that is rider only, rider with luggage, rider with passenger or rider with passenger and luggage. Within each of these preload settings, there are another 24 selectable preload settings from Low to High.There are four ride modes: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro.Sport mode provides full power and the quickest throttle response, as well as the…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08PRACTICE [BIKE] MAKES PERFECTONE OF ONLY 700 produced worldwide, KTM say its 890 R Rally is ‘a specialised motorcycle for a hardcore Adventurer’. The Austrian firm reserved 200 units for North America and the rest of the world had to share the remaining 500.They sold out in 48 hours.Houlihan’s once-intact practice bike started life as a rare but impressive bit of gear at Future Sport Motorcycles in Townsville, Queensland. With his first Dakar Rally behind him and his KTM 790 Adventure recently written off in a crash (something he seems to be making a habit of…), he was on the hunt for a new ticket to adventure.With his sights set on Dakar 2022, Andrew needed a bike that he could spend thousands of hours and tens of thousands of kilometres training on, then…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08READY, SET, GO!Going on a motorcycle adventure is one life’s finest experiences. It doesn’t matter if you’re quitting your job, selling everything you own and hitting the road or if you’ve only got a few days off work – travelling on your bike is visceral, life changing and deeply meaningful. And you’re probably grinning ear-to-ear just thinking about it.But, amidst all the day dreaming of dusty trails, foreign lands and the unknown is that sinking feeling of all the preparation you’ve got to do first. That block of boringness to push through before you can get to the good stuff. And that’s usually enough to put most people off. It shouldn’t. Preparing for a trip, regardless of how long it is, is half the fun. It just takes a little time and…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08TOOL KITIt’s so easy to overpack a toolkit and take unnecessary weight. If you’re heading to a particularly remote place, the best advice is to take your bike to pieces (or as close to pieces as you feel comfortable with) before you set-off.Take anything apart that is likely to go wrong and also perform any services, changes and fixes that will likely need doing. For example, change your tubes, do an oil and coolant change, take your chain and sprockets on and off, replace your brake pads, etc. But don’t go to the extreme, there’s no point taking your engine apart as it’s incredibly unlikely you’ll be doing that in the Simpson Desert.As you perform all these jobs, put the tools you use into a box. By the time you’re done…4 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08STREETS AHEADTYRES LIKE METZELER’S Tourance Next are a great choice for riders that spend the majority of their time on the road, but still like the occasional cruise along a dirt road. They offer many of the advantages of a sports-touring tyre, with the addition of deeper and more aggressive tread pattern for better off-road grip, as well as tougher carcass construction for better puncture resistance.The wider and deeper tread pattern f lexes more than it would on a sports-touring tyre, which generates heat, bringing the tyre up to operating temperature quickly. This also works to maintain the tyre temperature in wet and cold conditions.Unlike in a more dirt-focussed tyre, this style of tyre has a high silica content, which improves wet-weather grip and, combined with a tread pattern that’s fantastic…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08GET YOUR DAKAR ONFOR THOSE THAT see tarmac as just a way of getting to the dirt or value off-grip over all other considerations, then a Rally style tyre may be for you. These tyres give you the best level of off-road grip for your adventure machine while still being legal on the road.They feature a greater sea-to-land ratio, meaning the knobs – which also have a sharper edge to bite into the dirt – are spaced further apart. They also run a stronger carcass for greater puncture resistance and bump absorption, and allow you to run lower pressures for a larger footprint that provides better grip.In wet conditions in areas with a high clay content, rally tyres can collect a significant amount of mud if you’re pushing through slowly. The muck can…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Bad vibes, manAPPLE RECENTLY put out a statement outlining that exposure to high-amplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges, specifically those generated by high-power motorcycle engines, can degrade the performance of the iPhone camera system.Coincidentally, my iPhone 11 Pro Max camera failed on the same day this statement was released by Apple.I use a Quad Lock mounting system to attach my iPhone to bikes, and the vibes produced apparently messed with the optical image stabilisation (OIS) in said phone.Fortunately, I am pleased that Apple fixed it under warranty.To prevent this from happening again, I have added Quad Lock’s new Vibration Dampener to my mounting set up.The dampener fits between the Quad Lock handlebar mount and the phone mount, and it features a dual chassis suspension system with silicone grommets to absorb vibrations.It is…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Wear and swearTHERE’S A COUPLE of photos here of a camshaft, the four lobe jobbie from a Norton Commando.Note the, er, unusual wear on two of those lobes. They’re chewed flat except for the bits still flying the flag where they’ve missed the follower.In all my years playing with motors, I’ve never seen wear as extreme or as focused as this. It’s as if someone shot a nail through the barrels and totally ruined one little bit of a piston skirt or something.Right, a bit of background on the bike. It’s a 1975 850 Mk3, the last of the Commando breed. You know, the first Norton with a left-hand gear change and an electric start. It was a Prestolite unit, from the people who brought you bakelite ashtrays. From new they had…3 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08White hot!THE WORLDSBK category in 2021 is a gift of incendiary action and off-track controversy that just keeps on giving, week after week.This time around, at a warm and then wet Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, it was the no scores that mattered as much as the big points.There has been some needle creeping in during the past few rounds. Verbally, both Jonathan Rea (KRT) and Scott Redding (Aruba.it Ducati) have had things to say about the passing tactics and general tactile approach of Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha).Razgatlioglu is unhappy that he was pinged for going on the green in France and losing points. Redding will quip with the best of them, and his points haul for three second places in Portugal was the best of any of the top three riders.Razgatlioglu…9 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Cruise controlDURING HIS POMP it was often stated Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) could win around the Circuit of the Americas riding with one arm. And while it may be a great exaggeration to suggest he did as much here, the 28-year old dominated the Grand Prix of the Americas with an ease reminiscent of years gone by when the after effects of a right arm break sustained 14 months ago are still keenly felt.Quite simply, no one else got a look in once Marquez hit the front. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) rode within his limits, intelligently managing the gap to the pack of Ducatis behind in another crucial step to claiming a maiden world title. Still, the ease with which Marquez cruised to his seventh win in eight races at…9 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08Moto3 hits crisis pointTHE FIM STEWARDS dished out their harshest penalty yet after the terrifying multi-bike collision which took three riders down in the US Moto3 grand prix in CoTA, and saw miraculous escapes for both Andrea Migno and championship points leader Pedro Acosta.Hours later, Deniz Öncü was notified he has been suspended from the next two races for causing the incident. The MotoGP field largely agreed with the penalty.“The movement of one rider that created all these things,” said Marc Marquez. “It’s a very strong penalty.“Of course it was not the intention of Oncu, but in the end they must go in that way if they want to stop these movements (on the straight).”Valentino Rossi was adamant the penalty was the right one.“He has to stay home for two races minimum. They…2 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08COTA ULTIMATUMIN LIGHT OF the negative comments regarding the surface at the Circuit of the Americas, MotoGP riders are pushing for the venue to be resurfaced before next year’s event, which is scheduled to take place next April.This was a hot discussion point in Friday evening’s Safety Commission meeting, on which Takaaki Nakagami revealed, “This is the worst track on the calendar. But Dorna said that they will request and try to push to resurface, not all the circuit, but I think from Turn 2 to Turn 10. If the circuit say they don’t want to resurface, I don’t think we will come back.”…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08LAGUTA CROWNED WORLD CHAMPARTEM LAGUTA IS Russia’s first world champion in any discipline other than ice speedway after the two-night finale to the Speedway Grand Prix series at Torun, Poland, on 1 October.A congested scorechart on Friday saw Laguta and Tai Woffinden on 12, one point ahead of four riders – Emil Sayfutdinov, Bartosz Zmarzlik, Leon Madsen and Max Fricke (a win and four seconds). Fricke’s best showing contrasted Jason Doyle’s, who managed only a second, two thirds, a last and an exclusion.Woffinden and Maciej Janowski progressed from the first semi as Zmarzlik held off Fricke for third. Laguta then boosted his championship hopes by winning the second semi from Madsen and Lambert, who both passed Sayfutdinov. Laguta won the final.Round 11 on Saturday saw Laguta scoring only three points in his opening…1 min
Australian Motorcycle News|Vol 71 Issue 08ARGENTINA SHAKYAFTER AN ARGENTINIAN WorldSBK round was confirmed recently, one other unforseen problem reared its ugly head at Portimao. Some teams had their flights there cancelled or rescheduled during the Portimao weekend, as the airlines reduce their capacity to Argentina now the country is tightening its border controls.With already limited flights to Argentina due to Covid, there are concerns there won’t be enough teams and personnel able to get to Argentina to host the penultimate race of the series.And the final round venue of Mandalika is not yet fully built… If we do see the season out in Europe, Estoril and Valencia have been spoken of as possible replacements.…1 min
