TAKING IT TO THE MAX BMW C 600

SPORT &

C 650 GT

Boosted Ninja2013 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R

FR

EE

2013JANUARY

Win a Reevu

Helmet

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 2IN THIS ISSUE

In this edition of Cycle Torque we’ve got some really interesting motorcycles, a great touring piece about visiting the Isle of Man, lots of news and some really insightful columns on the state of motorcycling.The quarter-litre class is growing up – both Kawasaki, with the Ninja 300, and KTM, with the Freeride 350, have launched new bikes which might have been 250s in the past. Both are lightweight, versatile machines in the their respective categories, and both should do well.At the other end of the spectrum we have the Yamaha Vmax, the original muscle machine. What an incredible machine - our video shows it leaving way too much tyre on the road…Smarty loved the new KTM 450SX-F (September 2012) so it was always going to be interesting to read his take on the update 250 and 350SX-F, which you’ll find in this issue.Thanks for downloading Cycle Torque, please share stories and links with your friends, and give us a review on iTunes.

– Nigel Paterson Publisher

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 3

DUCATI MANX RACERS

SUMMER FUN : KIDS BIKES, QUADS, WATERCRAFT, CAMERAS

KTM 450SXF LONG TERM

AUSSIE CLASSIC TITLES

NEWS

GUNTRIP

SMALL TORQUE

PIT BITS

BIKE STUFF

TORQUE BACK - LETTERS

DIRTY TORQUE

USED & REVIEWED

BOOK SHOP

BOOK REVIEW

MARKET TORQUE

EDITORIAL

RACE TORQUE

REGULARSRIDDEN

CONTENTS

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52

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45

2013 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R LAUNCH

YAMAHA STAR CRUISER RANGE LAUNCH

SKYTEAM ACE 125 TEST

BMW C 600 SPORT AND C 650 GT SCOOTERS TEST

FEATURES

58 68 94 98

COVER PHOTOS BY KEITH MUIR

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 4

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 5

MOTO GUZZI’S California 1400 Touring has made its successful debut at the Melbourne Motorcycle Show.

As we go to press the new big Cali was making its way up to Queensland for unveilings at Motolife Caloundra, Brisbane Moto Guzzi and Action Motorcycles on the Gold Coast.

The Moto Guzzi California Custom is not the sport twin to the Touring but its “wicked” sister, in stark contrast where temperament, style and vocation are concerned. It doesn’t spoil the rider with accessories and shiny gadgets, but it wins their heart with the power expressed in its cruiser style design, hard and pure: two wheels, an engine, saddle and handlebars.

It also comes standard with cruise control MGCT traction control which can be set to three levels and Ride by Wire so you get Touring, Sport and Rain engine response modes.

The Touring model is the California in its most classic expression, intended for great travellers, medium to long distance riders, where rider and passenger comfort is paramount. Equipped with a two-tone saddle, “Patrol” windshield, chrome cruising lights, 35 litre side panniers, engine guard and pannier guard kits it also has riding modes for Touring, Sport and Rain or even Cruise Control, together with an anti-theft

system as standard.

Powered by the biggest V-twin engine built in Europe you can also personalise your Cali with the huge accessory catalogue covering everything from high performance silencers, chrome and billet components, saddles of all types and

materials and even Apps to transform your iPhone into a supplementary dashboard for an array of navigation and technical data.

As always keep an eye on the dedicated California 1400 website for all the updates - www.motoguzzi.com.au/cali1400 n

NEWS TORQUE

California dreaming

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 6

It’s not where you’re going, It’s how you get there!

NEWS TORQUE

QUEENSLAND rider Nathan Houterman has been awarded the prestigious 2012 Kirk McCarthy Memorial Award.

Houterman, from Plainland in the Lockyer Valley, was presented with the perpetual trophy at the Australian Motorcycle Awards Night of Champions in Melbourne in November.

The 19-year-old is honoured to have been selected as the recipient of this year’s award, and is hoping the support from the McCarthy family will help him further his career.

After a tough Australian Prostock Championship season, which threw up an accident and a missed round, Houterman is looking forward to getting back on the bike in 2013 and firing on all cylinders.

“I was a little disappointed with my Prostock result this year, I had a big accident at Darwin and DNF’d and we couldn’t get the money and the bike together before the next round at

Phillip Island so I missed that one too,” Houterman said.

“It wasn’t my best year, but it was a good learning curve and I had some great races – now I just want to put it all behind me and hopefully next year will be my year.

“I’m going to do the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) series again in 2013 and also the Southern Downs Series here in Queensland, which I won this year and am hoping to back up again. I’ll also do a few track days too and anything else that might pop up during the year.”

The Kirk McCarthy Memorial Award has been a stepping stone for talented young riders with 2010 winner Kris McLaren earning a Moto2 Wildcard at the 2011 Australian MotoGP, while 2009 winner Cru Halliday claimed last year’s Australian Prostock Championship.

The Award Program was established by the family of the late Kirk McCarthy in conjunction with a number of industry partners to assist young riders in contesting Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) seasons.

In addition to the assistance of the McCarthy Family, Suzuki Australia, Monza Imports, Dunlop, Dave Roberts – Bandit, Marty Craggill, Scott Williams, Darred Motors Body Work, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, IEG and Motorcycling Australia have contributed to the award. n

Kirk award for Nathan

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 7NEWS TORQUE

INDIAN Motorcycles, now a wholly owned division of Polaris Industries that created the Victory range, made themselves seen, and heard, at the 2012 International Motorcycle Show at Long Beach, California on December 7.

The Indian Motorcycle exhibit at the show featured a custom built sound booth where showgoers could also experience first hand the rumbling sound of the new generation Indians. History Channel American Picker’s host Mike Wolfe features as the video guide for the exhibit.

The Long Beach exhibition also featured legendary vintage motorcycles from the past including the original Burt Munro 1920 Indian Scout that broke the under-1000cc land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats immortalised in the film World’s Fastest Indian.

Founded in 1901 Indian is America’s original motorcycle company, giving Polaris Industries the envious status of owning both the oldest and newest American motorcycles through Indian and Victory.

For more information check out www.indianmotorcycle.com.au n

Indians alive

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 8NEWS TORQUE

THE 2013 Ninja ZX-10R ABS is available now at Kawasaki dealerships across Australia at the same 2012 RRP of $19,999 + ORC.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R well and truly proved itself in 2012. In the hands of Tom Sykes, the model scored four wins and a whopping nine Superpole bests in the World Superbike Championship. Most importantly of all, Sykes and the Ninja ZX-10R came within half a point of winning the championship outright.

In addition to providing a high level of circuit performance care of its new engine, new frame and new suspension, one of the key goals of the 2011 Ninja ZX-10R was to enable a greater number of riders to experience the thrill of riding a superbike at the limit. Advanced technology like its race-type traction control system (S-KTRC) and supersport-grade ABS (KIBS) helped make this possible.

Complementing its already high base performance, the 2013 Ninja ZX-10R ABS is equipped with an electronic steering damper – offering even more advanced technology to assist riders explore the limit.

Like the mechanical steering damper offered on the 2011 Ninja ZX-10R, Kawasaki’s new electronic steering damper was jointly developed with Öhlins, one of the most popular and respected manufacturers of steering dampers – whether racing at world-championship level or going to track days with friends. Unlike a mechanical steering damper – in which the settings, once fixed, must cover all riding conditions and speeds – with the new damper the damping characteristics are changed electronically according to vehicle speed, and the degree of acceleration or deceleration. At low speeds, the settings were chosen such that damping does not interfere with the bike’s intrinsic lightweight handling. At high speeds, damping increases to provide enhanced stability.

For the 2013 model year, the Ninja ZX-10R ABS also receives a striking new colour scheme.

For more information on the new 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS go to www.kawasaki.com.au or visit your nearest Kawasaki dealership. n

Big Ninja here now

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 9NEWS TORQUE

Manufactured in Australiaby Rideworx T 02 4271 8244Find what fits your bike at: www.barkbusters.net

TAP EACH PRODUCT ABOVE FOR MORE INFO

Cycle Torque is selling, on behalf of the Ducati Owners Club of NSW, a framed print of Troy Bayliss showing sparks coming off his titanium sliders.

The print is framed and matted, looks fantastic and is signed by the great man himself.

The winning bid will go to the Moorong Spinal Unit, Sydney, in its entirety. Cycle Torque will pay to have the print shipped to your address.

So send in your bids now - the largest will win the auction. Send them to publisher@cycletorque.com.au by the end of January. n

Buy Bayliss, Support Spines

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 10NEWS TORQUE

Pro WunderlichWUNDERLICH, one of the world’s largest and most respected Parts and Accessories suppliers for BMW motorcycles, have teamed up in Australia with Procycles, the BMW Motorrad Metro Dealer of the Year 2010 and 2011.

Wunderlich have appointed Procycles exclusive NSW Distributor effective immediately.

Procycles will carry a large inventory of Wunderlich products in both the St Peters and Hornsby stores as well as have the catalogue available online for web shoppers across Australia.

The full range of globally available Wunderlich products can be seen at the new Procycles Wunderlich website. Just click through from www.procycles.com.au

Harley catalogue for 2013ICONIC motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson has released its new-for-2013 Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories catalogue, offering over 8000 products to Harley riders.

Products are available for the full range of Harley-Davidson models, including the Sportster, Dyna, Softail, V-Rod, and Touring families. The brand’s legendary craftsmanship, quality and style is present throughout the Genuine Parts & Accessories collections which incorporate everything from seating, hand and foot controls, gauges, lighting, wheels, engine trim and luggage solutions as well legendary Screamin’ Eagle engineered performance parts such as air cleaners, exhausts and engine components.

To pick up a copy of your Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories catalogue for 2013, visit your nearest Authorised Harley-Davidson Dealer.

For further information or to read Harley-Davidson’s Guide to Customising, visit www.harley-davidson.com.au n

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 11NEWS TORQUE

Troy Bayliss Classic Highway Performance Bikes

309 PRINCES HWY, ROCKDALE, NSW(02) 9599 0011

www.ktmmotorcycles.com.au

NEW BIKES

USED BIKES

SERVICE

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THE Troy Bayliss Classic is attracting strong support from both industry and non-industry sponsors. Brand new social media application Pixado.com has taken the naming rights partnership for the inaugural Troy Bayliss Classic and will use the event to showcase their Facebook photobook application.Pixado.com launched worldwide last month and is an innovative way to create and share images within Facebook. The simple, easy to use application allows users to create virtual storybooks using both their own and their friend’s images.“I am delighted to have such a fresh and vibrant service as Pixado.com come onboard as the naming rights partner for the Troy Bayliss Classic,” Bayliss said.“Just like the event will bring legends past and present together in one location, Pixado.com will do the same with friends and family bringing them closer together via the web.“Facebook is such a popular social media outlet and Pixado.com will allow people to share images and do a number of other applications. I look forward to sharing my first Pixado.com storybook with my 150,000 Facebook fans very soon,” Bayliss addedThe ‘Pixado.com Troy Bayliss Classic’ that will be held at the Taree Motorycle Club on Saturday, January 19 2013, will feature a star-studded line-up of past and present motorcycle racing legends.Joining the likes of Crump, Vermeulen and Reardon on the billing is Australian Motocross legend Stephen Gall and AMA Supermoto Champion Troy Herfoss.Gall will be one to watch, the motocross icon boasts five Australian Motocross Championships, four Mr Motocross titles, three Australian Dirt Track Championships and is a two-time winner of the Finke Desert race. Herfoss, the 2008 AMA Supermoto Champion and X-Games Silver medalist has also enjoyed great success on both the bitumen and dirt. The ‘Pixado.com Troy Bayliss Classic’ will encompass three feature events. The Legends & All Stars presented by Insure My Ride will see 20 invited racers, participate in up to 5 rounds of racing, mixing old school legends with current day all stars.The Legends and All Stars plus 20 of the fastest club riders will also participate in the Superpole Shootout presented by Bell Helmets, a solo, flying lap to determine the fastest rider of the meet.The fastest 10 riders from the Legends & All Stars and two fastest club riders will qualify for the final event, the Troy Bayliss Cup presented by Pixado.com where riders will vie for $5000.00. Join www.pixado.com and create your own Pixado.com account. For the latest on the ‘Pixado.com Troy Bayliss Classic’ follow the official Facebook site www.facebook.com/troybaylissclassicBook accommodation now at the Manning Valley Visitor Information Centre 1800 182 733 or online at www.manningvalley.info. n

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 12NEWS TORQUE

Michael J Turk is the first winner of our Reevu helmet summer giveaway.

Michael’s picture is a shot he took at the Assen Classic races in the summer of 2007.

His picture captures the essence of ”the Boys and their Toys”: six blokes standing around a Classic Kreidler 50cc racer trying to solve a problem.

So get searching for that picture that best captures the theme “motorcycling” for your chance to win a Reevu helmet.

Just visit our Facebook page and follow the link. You will be able to upload your entry and the best pic (as judged by our expert panel, of course) wins a Reevu helmet each month.

So get snapping! n

ENTER NOW

Reevu Winner

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 13NEWS TORQUE

ENTER NOW

PRESSHERETO SEE FOOTAGE

HONDA COMMENDS VIC RECOMMENDATIONSHONDA Australia attended the Victorian Parliament to hear the handing down of thew Road Safety Committee’s inquiry into Motorcycle Safety early last month.The company expressed support for the majority of the 64 recommendations handed down as a result of the inquiry. The company has long been a proactive campaigner for motorcycle safety and has pressed regulators and governments around Australia for accurate and transport accident data so that evidence based safety decisions can be correctly reached.The first recommendation titled “Data Quality and Accuracy” will assist with that goal.Honda also commented that it was pleasing to see that offroad motorcycle riders have been identified and included among the recommendations.Through its work with Honda Australia Rider Training (HART), the company has long been working with VicRoads in relation to standards of motorcycle training and looks forward to the implementation of these recommendations that will allow standardisation of training and identification of those providers who offer substandard training.The company will look at the recommendations over the next few weeks and examine the fine details and provide further feedback to the Road Safety Committee.

BLACK DOG RIDE UPDATEThe Black Dog Ride will organise a one-day ride on March 24, 2013. There will be 13 legs of this national awareness raising one-day event departing from every corner of the country.Other legs will be held in WA: Dardanup, Kalgoorlie; SA: ASdelaide, Kangaroo Island and Coober Pedy; Vic: Bacchus Marsh; Tas: Campbell Town; ACT: Canberra; NSW: Penrith; Qld: Brisbane, Mackay; NT: Darwin, Alice Springs.Meantime the Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre will be held from August 17 to 23 and registrations will be open early in the new year.There will also be a Black Dog Ride in New Zealand on April 14 and registrations will open in January.Christmas and the holiday season is a time that places an emphasis on being with loved ones. Work is winding down, schools finish, people make plans for holidays and/or family time. For most of us it’s a time for happiness. Yet for some, the festive season can be a lonely time and one of added stress. The organisers of the Black Dog Ride encourage anyone feeling lonely or isolated or in crisis to reach out to friends, family, or a GP or visit the Black Dog Help Page http://www.blackdogride.com.au/view/about/helpful-links/ and use the support lines available there.You are not alone and help is not far away. The core of the festive season is the sentiment of peace and goodwill giving us the opportunity to reach out to someone who may be lonely or isolated; whether it is welcoming a new family to your neighbourhood, or visiting an old friend in need of some company, whatever the reason, the world can never have too many acts of random kindness. www.blackdogride.com.au n

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 14NEWS TORQUE

THE Australian Motorcycle Expo’s return to Melbourne was met with an exceptional response from visitors and exhibitors alike with just on 20,000 two-wheel enthusiasts passing through the doors over a bumper three-day period.

Last hosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2010, more than 150 exhibitors signed on to sell out the capacity floor space in Melbourne early.

The presence of all major motorcycle brands made the show a ‘must-see’ for riders in the market for a first bike, an upgrade or simply a new toy for the garage.

Troy Bayliss’ headline appearance drew hundreds to the QBE Stage where he signed autographs for a long line of fans.

Australian racing identities including Josh Waters, Shawn Giles, Todd Waters and many more were on hand to meet and greet with visitors, as was Shannon Johnson to present the winner of his BMW race bike fairings which were auctioned off for men’s health charity awareness.

UK husband and wife couple Simon and Lisa Thomas captivated many – including national Sunrise TV audiences – with tales of their 10-year, 420,000km road trip which will continue beyond Melbourne.

The Action Arena heard the growl of bikes through the Showtime FMX team, Flair Trials riders and stunt rider Lukey Luke.

Newly-appointed Exhibition Manager Mal Jarrett thanked a record number of exhibitors for their dedicated and effort to make the Australian Motorcycle Expo Melbourne a success.

“The Australian Motorcycle Expo Melbourne could not be what it is without the significant investment of time and resources by our exhibitors who strive to create the best experience possible for visitors,” said Jarrett.

“We’d like to recognise in particular our presenting sponsor, QBE Insurance, for their ongoing support of the event and the industry as a whole.

“We’d also like to both welcome and thank Isuzu D-Max, the event’s Official Vehicle Partner, and GoPro, the event’s Official Action Sports Camera, for their input and support.”

The next event on the calendar is the 2013 Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Expo. In the coming months details will also be made available about the return of the Australian Motorcycle Expo to Brisbane in 2014.n

Huge Melbourne Expo

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 15

Look deep and you’ll see the championship-inspired

upgrades Suzuki made to the 2013 RM-Z450 and

RM-Z250. From years of experience helping racers

around the world reach the top of the podium, Suzuki

understands that the power of high-performance

engineering is often in the details.

New engines. New SHOWA forks. New exhausts.

New frames and more. Inside and out, Suzuki RM-Z

motorcycles are a sight to behold.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 16

NEW BIKE MAGPETER Thoeming and Stuart Woodbury have left Australian Road Rider Magazine and are about to kick off their own.Australian Motorcyclist Magazine will feature road tests, touring stories, technical articles, new products, and whatever else they decide to put in there we guess.Look out for it in news stands in the first quarter of 2013. ARR has appointed Mick Matheson as editor.

SNOWY WINNERHONDA Australia has kicked off the festive season by delivering the winner of the 2012 Steven Walter Children’s Cancer Foundation 2012 Snowy Ride with an adventure touring VFR1200X and the winner of the Snowy Ride raffle with a legendary CBR1000RR.Bob Hayward of ACT was almost speechless when his name was called out from the over 3,000 strong crowd at the close of the 2012 Snowy Ride event in the alpine region of NSW. “I nearly had a heart attack, I just couldn’t believe it!” exclaimed Bob when asked about his first reaction.Bob, who already has a Honda Goldwing and a Honda CB125 at home, plans to reserve his new VFR1200X for more adventurous rides.

KAWASAKI DEALSKAWASAKI has announced promotions on the W800, 1400GTR and Vulcan 1700 cruiser range.The W800 is available at $11,999 ride away, the 1400GTR comes with a “Complete Touring Package” consisting of $1,500 cash back, 12 months comprehensive insurance and 12 months tyre and rim insurance.Buy a new 1700 Vulcan cruiser and receive $2,000 cash back plus free comprehensive insurance and tyre and rim insurance for 12 months. The offer is available now until

January 31st 2013 on the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager, Nomad, Vaquero and Classic.

SUZUKI BONUSESSUZUKI has loads of Xmas cheer by offering Factory Bonuses ATVs, farm bikes, off-roaders, street bikes and fun bikes in its 2012 Model Clearance campaign.Eligible 2012 road bikes get a $1500 Factory Bonus, $500 on the 2013 RM-Z range, $500 on the enduro range, and $1500 on selected ATVs.There are more offers on the table so visit your local Suzuki dealer to hear and see more.

QUEEN OF HEARTSTHE Open Road Film Festival, hosted by film industry legends Bryan Brown and Gregor Jordan, recently revealed the inaugural winner of the short film competition with Nick McDougall’s The Queen of Hearts taking the grand prize which includes a Harley-Davidson Iron 883 and Canon 1D. Written and directed by Sydney-based Nick McDougall, The Queen of Hearts premiered at the independent festival held at The Bucket List in Bondi Beach, Sydney which was free for the public to attend. The industry judging panel selected the film from a shortlist of eight finalists.Gregor Jordan commented, “We’re very excited to announce Nick McDougall as the very first winner of the Open Road Film Festival. The Queen of Hearts is a six minute masterpiece and demonstrates the exciting level of talent of the next generation of Australian filmmakers.”To watch the winning entry, The Queen of Hearts as well as the other finalist films and Gregor Jordan’s original conclusion for The Queen of Hearts please visit openroadfilmfestival.com n

WWW.ZUMA.COM.AU(02) 4285 9400

AUSTRALIAN EXCLUSIVE IMPORTER FOR SHINERAY

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 17

ICONIC MACHINES ON SALETWO single-owner collections will headline the motorcycle section of the Bonhams sale at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, in early February 2013.The Garelli Grand Prix Collection comprises some two-dozen historic racing motorcycles from the celebrated Italian manufacturer, many from the factory’s 1980s heyday, and a selection from its pre-war days. All the machines, which were housed by their current owner in a private chapel, will be sold at no reserve.Highlights include the 1963 Garelli 50cc Monza world-record-breaker (estimate €50,000 - €70,000). Other notable machines to be auctioned are the ex-WSBK Honda RC30 ridden by Fred Merkel.

HYOSUNG UPDATESFOR 2013 all Hyosung 250 and 650 GT and GTR models have received upgraded KYB suspension and new styling.“The Hyosung range continues to evolve, and provides Australian LAMS riders a wide choice of models offering strong DOHC V-twin power plants with comprehensively equipped features” says Brand manager Simon Gloyne.

WALLY’S LAP OF TASSIEWALLY Campbell’s next Wonderful World Tour of Tassie happens from 4-8 March, 2013 with several rare car and bike collections on the way. The trip kicks off at Devonport en route to Strahan before heading to Lake Pedder and the Strathgordon Dam, where you can abseil down the longest wall drop in Australia. Riders visit Hobart for a ride on the second oldest steam powered Carousel, built 1842, then onto Bruny Island for a three-hour boat ride down the rugged south-east coast and onto Swansea, and the final night’s dinner at the Hobart Casino. Wally has pre-booked accommodation along the way at an average cost of $65 per night

twin-share, plus registration fees of $185 for solo riders and $235 if two up. Another tour is scheduled for April 8-13.For more details, tel 0408128872 or email campbell.racing@bigpond.com.au.

TIME TO RIDEYAMAHA XVS650 buyer Dave Ketels has had the price of his machine refunded after winning the Yamaha Time To Ride competition.Victorian advertising and marketing consultant Ketels won back the purchase price of his XVS650 V-Star after taking the learner approved cruiser for a demo ride and recording his ride impression in 25 words or less.YMA judges deemed his entry the best of the lot in the competition designed to attract riders onto Yamaha demo bikes.“So delighted to learn of this big news. I honestly and purposely went in the promotion with a view to winning it. It also fast tracked my purchase, so I am just so thankful to you all at Yamaha Motor Australia,” said the 53-year- old.“I wanted to maximise the legal cc limit, being a LAMS rider, so the Yamaha XVS650 is the logical choice and must be the ultimate desire of any LAMS rider,” continued Ketels.

GET ON A HUSQVARNAThe 2012 “Get on a Husqvarna Today” sales promotion has been extended to January 31st 2013.It covers Husqvarna’s core off road models for the remaining dealer stock of both 2011 and 2012 model years.With savings of up to $2900 off the regular MSRP on offer, plus the inclusion of value added accessories at no additional charge such as the Husqvarna branded 3 X 3 metre alloy race tent, plus selected performance options from the Husqvarna special parts range including ECU/fuel injector upgrade kits and Akrapovic exhaust systems for selected models, the promotion continues to offer an amazing deal. n

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 18PIT IBITSPI RESURFACEBy the time you read this the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit should have received a major facelift, with the resurface of the world famous 4.445km Australian circuit. Over 5000 tonnes of asphalt is to be laid in a $3 million upgrade that’s set to deliver the smoothest, fastest motorcycle circuit in the world.

“The circuit is used over 300 days a year and we have had a good 14 years from this track. It was time for a makeover,” said the circuit’s Fergus Cameron. “The stresses and strains of Casey Stoner on a MotoGP bike or the world superbike riders going around this place at over 330km/h all take their toll. The track has served us very well but it is time to give it a makeover.

“Because of the layout and setting of this track, Phillip Island is considered one of the world’s motorsport meccas. It never fails to produce awesome racing, and we want to ensure riders and drivers compete on the smoothest, fastest track in the world.”

MARTIN FOR RC30WSBK commentator and former WEC Steve Martin will pilot an ex-Winfield Honda RC30 at the International Phillip Island Classic over 25-27 January, 2013.

The bike was part of the squad that saw Winfield Honda rider Troy Corser capture the 1993 Australian Superbike Championship from Scott Doohan’s Ducati 888. Owned by Peter Howes, the RC30 is the same bike ridden by Graeme Wilshaw in Period Six events at the 2012 Australian Historic Championships held at Eastern Creek.

RUTLEDGE WINS IN GENEVAKAWASAKI’S Meghan Rutledge has cemented herself as a star in Australian MX racing with a highly successful year capped off with victory at the Geneva Supercross recently on a Kawasaki KX250F.

17-year-old Rutledge from Picton, NSW won both women’s motos during Friday’s racing at the Geneva Supercross in Switzerland amongst a star studded field including fellow Kawasaki riders Livia Lancelot (France) and Vicki Golden (USA). A pair of 2nds on Saturday sealed the victory for Rutledge, crowning her Queen of Geneva SX and handing her first title on international soil.

HONDA WILDCARDSTEAM Honda Racing’s Jamie Stauffer and Josh Hook will both ride as wildcards in the Phillip Island round of the World Superbike Championship on February 22-24 2013.

Stauffer and Hook will both ride CBR1000RR machines in next year’s Australian Championships, and while Stauffer will ride the 1000 as a wildcard, Hook will ride a CBR600RR in the supersport class at Phillip Island.

“To start my year off at the World Superbikes competing as a wildcard alongside the world’s best Supersport riders is fantastic. I know the guys at Team Honda Racing will be working hard to give me a competitive motorcycle to compete head to head in that world championship field and I’m really excited to have the opportunity to race as a wildcard,” said Hook.

BEATTIE SLAMS CRTFORMER works 500GP rider and Network Ten’s MotoGP commentator Daryl Beattie has launched a scathing attack on the Claiming Rule Team bikes that Dorna allowed to run alongside factory MotoGP prototypes in the 2012 world championship.

Beattie’s comments came on the back of viewing Jorge Lorenzo’s nasty high-side when the newly-crowned double world champion was baulked by CRT rider James Ellison at the final Valencia Grand Prix. “It wasn’t Ellison’s fault. Lorenzo made the mistake, but the speed difference between the two categories is just ridiculous,” said Beattie, who replaced Barry Sheene as Ten’s expert race commentator after the double world 500cc champion passed away in March 2003. Beattie, who has been neutral on the CRT issue all year, didn’t mince words after the season finale. “CRT bikes shouldn’t be there in the first place. It annoys me that you have practice sessions with two different categories.”

Beattie is hopeful, however, that Dorna, which now controls both MotoGP and World Superbike racing, will see fit to bring clarity to both formulas with some questioning the need for WSBK to run sophisticated electronics and ride-by-wire systems. “I hope that [CRT] changes and MotoGP becomes prototype, and World Superbike changes a bit. It’s just silly to me to have two different types of motorcycles that are different spec-wise in the one [MotoGP] class.” n

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 19PIT IBITS

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DAKAR DAILY ON SBSTHE world’s biggest, hardest and toughest off-road endurance race, the 35th Dakar Rally, will be broadcast via daily highlights from Sunday 6 January – Monday 21 January at 5:30pm on SBS ONE, following the bikes, cars, trucks, and quads as they race through over 8000km of merciless terrain from Peru to Chile.

Australia will again have a strong contingent in the Dakar Rally with Simon Pavey, who will be competing in his ninth Dakar, and Rod Faggotter. In the car category, Dakar veteran Bruce Garland will be competing as well as Geoff Olholm and Adrian Di Lallo. Paul Smith will feature in the quad category and Richard Hayes will compete in the truck category.

The 2013 Dakar Rally begins in Lima, Peru on the Pacific coast for the first time in the event’s history and travels through Argentina to the finish in Santiago, Chile. For the first time, the desert stages will make an appearance in the first few days of the rally.

SBS will also provide coverage online through its SBS On Demand player at www.sbs.com.au/dakar, featuring catch-up highlights of every stage and every class – cars, bikes and trucks, and the SBS On Demand app for iPhone and iPad to keep track of the race on the go.

ST GEORGE A GO GOTHE first round of the 2013 Honda RJays NSW Clubman Road Race Championship Series has now been confirmed and will be held on the 9th and 10th of February at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Further information and Supplementary Regulations will be available in the New Year. The remainder of the season will see St George run events on the following dates: Round 2: 8-9 June at Broadford (sprint round), Round 3: 3 August at Wakefield Park (sprint round), Round 4: 4 August at Wakefield (endurance round), Round 5: 2-3 November at Sydney Motorsport Park (sprint round).

COACHING CLASSMOTORCYCLING Australia (MA) is holding a Level 2 Motorcycle Sport Coaching course at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra from Monday 8 – Thursday 11 April 2013.

To be considered for this course, applicants must be an accredited Level 1 Motorcycle Sport Coach and must have completed the Intermediate Coaching General Principles course.

Application forms can be found at www.ma.org.au/forms and must be returned by COB Monday 28 January 2013.

For further information or queries regarding the course contact Motorcycling Australia.

250 PRODDY CLASS AGAIN IN 2013AFTER the success of the 250 Production class in 2012, won by Luke Burgess on a Kawasaki Ninja 250, the class will again be run in conjunction with the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in 2013.

Parity and affordability will continue to be held paramount in the 2013 class, which will be open to senior riders of all ages and grades.

JONES SIGNSAUSTRALIAN Mike Jones will join Austria’s Lukas Wimmer in the Racedays Honda squad for its assault on the 2013 Superstock 600 championship.

18 year old Jones is the 2011 Australian Superstock 600 and 2012 FX 600 National Champion and has already shown his speed in two wild card European Superstock 600 rides this season. 17 year old Wimmer claimed the 2012 European Junior Cup championship in a dramatic showdown at the Magny Cours World Superbike round in October. n

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 20EDITORIAL

I didn’t know Kev all that well really, more his wife Chrissy who made a fantastic mocha.

What I did know about Kev was he was well liked in our local rural community, he loved his Moto Guzzi Norge, and he’d been working on his custom Ducati SSD for more years than he probably cared to remember.

Kev was a good rider too, something that stood out on our occasional rides together, so it’s hard to come up with any definite ideas on how he came to grief on the Byalong Valley Way on Thursday, November 22. It was late in the day, a couple of hours from dark. There were no other vehicles involved, maybe it was a roo, maybe Kev just made a mistake? Whatever the reason, I find it very sad he’s gone, more so considering he recently beat cancer too. Maybe it was just Kev’s time, but at only 57 he still had plenty to do on this earth.

As we get older we tend to be a bit conservative with our approach to life, taking a few less risks and so on. And there’s an old saying that goes along the lines of, ‘when you are in your twenties you start going to weddings, when you are in your forties you start going to funerals’. Riding a motorcycle has always been seen as a dangerous pastime, but of all the riding mates I’ve had over the years not many have died on a bike. Nevertheless, when I heard of Kev’s passing it hit home on a personal level because Kev was a nice bloke, because I ride, and because Chrissy is going through a very tough time, something you hope a friend never has to go through.

Kev wasn’t a daredevil on a motorcycle, he rode smoothly and safely, so I can only think something must have happened which was out of his control. I guess we’ll never know.

As you would expect, being a police officer for many years I saw plenty of fatal accidents, and it changes the way you look at things. For a long time I was paranoid that my family would be killed in a motor vehicle accident, something I have got over to a large degree. This was tested 12 months ago when my son Alex fell asleep at the wheel of his car, writing it off. Alex and his girlfriend Sarah were extremely lucky to walk away unscathed. When we go riding on the road together I seem to have one eye on where I’m going and one on where he is, but you have to let go at some stage. You can’t control everything.

I believe society as a whole is desensitised to road deaths, until it personally affects us. Maybe it’s society’s way of coping, I don’t know. The vast majority of us turn off to the dangers when we drive, and to a lesser degree when we ride. You might be extremely agitated in the water if you are afraid of sharks, although the chance of being eaten is very, very slim compared to dying at the wheel or handlebars.

In a car you can easily get distracted but when riding a bike you tend to be more aware of your surroundings, and I like to believe this makes motorcycle riders generally a better road user than your average

car driver. Kev was one of those people, a very experienced rider who rode within his limits. He knew what he was doing.

I don’t like the saying, ‘he died doing what he loved,’ but I think we can safely say Kev was enjoying himself before his accident, and his friends and family can take some solace from this.

And spare a thought for those who came across the accident, what they must be feeling. When someone passes away like this lots of people are affected.

Kevin Rudd might be a famous name, but our Kev Rudd was just an average guy going through life as best he could, enjoying life as best he could. Kev will be missed.

– Chris Pickett

I DROPPED into my local servo/café recently and received some terrible news: a riding friend of mine had died on his bike.

When is it our time?

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 21DIRTY TORQUE CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 21

You see, the people who have only been around or following motocross for just a few years have only seen the sport at its pinnacle where there are plenty of racers, spectators and sponsors but I am here to tell you that it wasn’t that long ago that the Australian Motocross Championships was a one weekend event that looked more like a Papua New Guinea club day than the premier event on our race calendar.Australia has a magnificent motocross history and we have been at this since the ’60s. In fact, from 1968 through to 1992, the Australian 125cc, 250cc and 500cc Motocross Champions were crowned after one weekend’s racing, and from 1974 to 1988 the most successful motocross series in Australia was the multi round Mr Motocross series.In 1993 the 500cc class was taken away from the Aussie champs so we had to rely on the 125cc and 250cc championships to keep us entertained. That was when our sport took a hugenose dive to the point that in 2000 I went to Tivoli Raceway to watch Andrew McFarlane battle for the title against the likes of Craig Anderson and Michael Byrne and I basically sat on the back straight (the best vantage spot) all by myself to watch the racing. The sport had changed.At that stage the most popular series was the multi-round Thumper Nationals that really focussed on the amateur riders. From its humble beginnings in 1992 the series was taken over by this really enthusiastic guy by the name of Kevin Williams who was backed by his wife and family.Kevin threw his organisational and promotional skills into the series, and as a competitor I can tell you the Thumper Nats was the best years of racing in my whole life. In 1997 the Pro riders were given a class in the Thumper Nats and it was a sensational mix of amateur racing coupled with Pro riders on big wide open tracks. It wasn’t long before winning the Thumper Nats was more important than winning the Australian Motocross Championships for the Pros. Chad Reed was even out there racing a Suzuki DR350 for a season or two.Obviously the Thumper Nats had to dwindle away as a series because

by 2003 every bike on the grid was…um…’thumping’. Yep, four-strokes took over and the Australian Motocross Championship once again became popular with riders, with Kevin Williams’ WEM taking over the whole show.Over the last decade there have been a lot of changes and improvements in the series and in 2012 I for one thought that they had finally nailed it. The racing was sensational, the sport had a real fan base again, the media coverage was international standard, there were a good amount of riders on the grid and sponsors are seeing a true benefit in being involved. So, finally after years of trying to get it right why would anyone in their right mind change things? Well, love him or hate him, Kevin Williams is a listener and after a survey of riders and ‘industry insiders’ it has been decided to return to a two-thirty minute moto format for the 2013 MX National season.OK, before you read any further I want to ask you a question: Have you ever raced a thirty minute moto? There won’t be many of you who have and I can tell you this, I have, many times, and it is no picnic! And I can tell from watching the racing at close quarters for many years here in Australia we simply don’t have the depth of talent to commit to a two-thirty minute moto format for our premier motocross series.Spectators want to watch close racing, sponsors want to see spectators. Are you getting the drift? We are on the brink of a dud season unless we get 20 riders in the MX1 class and 20 riders in the MX2 class who can ride flat out for 30 minutes twice a day.So why did WEM have the 2 x 15 minute and 1 x 30 minute moto format in the first place? Simple, to give the spectators what they are after which is obviously a combination of good close racing with plenty of passing and battling for positions right through to the finish line.From what I saw during the 30 minute motos at Conondale and Coolum in 2012 we don’t stand a chance of having close racing all the way to the finish in 2013. There were more Pro riders trail riding around at the 20 minute mark than there were actually racing and

most of the real racing was over and done with by that stage so we, as spectators, got to watch a heap of riders in flash gear riding around and around with no real intent.Funnily enough, I hear from some punters that the only way to prepare our riders for racing in America or Europe is to emulate their race format. Hmmm. So, we make our series crap in the hope that one of our riders might have the intestinal fortitude to make a career somewhere other than Australia?Gentlemen, if a rider has the talent and the drive they will make it wherever they want to race no matter what our race format is? Finally, the best argument put forward for the new format is that privateer racers can’t afford to do a two day race weekend so the 2 x 30 minute format allows for one day’s racing including support classes etc. Well, I hate to put a damper on that theory but if you are serious about your racing you need to be willing to make sacrifices.I did most of my racing from Mt Isa in far north Queensland so if I wanted to race anywhere I would have to leave on Thursday or Friday and be back by Monday or Tuesday. If a rider can’t commit to ten long weekends a year to follow their dream well they simply weren’t going to make it anyway. Every employee gets four weeks holiday a year so the ‘time-off’ hassle doesn’t wash for me.I suppose all we can hope for is that I am wrong, that somehow our elite riders pull their fingers out and the four Pro races are what we all dream of. Either way, I look forward to the opening round of the 2013 MX Nationals at Raymond Terrace on April the 14th.See ya there.

– Darren Smart

MX Nats on the rocks?AFTER several years of phenomenal growth and success the Australian Motocross Championships, aka MX Nationals, will step back in time to a two-thirty minute moto format for the premier MX1 and MX2 Pro classes. Unless there is a substantial change to the fitness level of our Pro riders this decision could bring our premier motocross series back to its knees.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 22RACE TORQUE

In 1973, motorcycling in Australia was at an incredible apex. I was among the first generation whose first ride on a two-wheel motorised convenience was aboard a minibike, a Taiwanese-built Deltek Rockhopper. I was also among the first generation of rookie riders whose formative years were spent off-road, and whose first motorcycle was made in Japan, to wit a 1970 Honda CL100. All three stand as the most significant developments in motorcycling in the last half-century; the minibike boom, off-road riding and Japanese brands coming from nowhere to wipe the floor with the western manufacturers in less than a decade. For many years, BSA, Triumph and others ruled the roost, but by 1975 it was game, set, match Japan.

The Japanese domination meant mass production on a scale never seen before. This led to more and cheaper models, including production racers like Yamaha’s TD, TR and TZ series. State road race championships enjoyed entries ranging from 300-400, and motocross events weren’t far behind with the launch of Mr Motocross. The advent of multi-cylinder production ‘superbikes’ like the Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Z1-900 spawned endurance production racing in Australia that would become the nation’s highest profile class of road racing for well over a decade. The 1974 release of the Yamaha TZ700 launched Formula 750 racing in Australia made famous by the Warren Willing-Gregg Hansford rivalry. Live TV coverage of the Castrol Six-Hour firstly on the Seven network and later by ABC-TV brought bike racing from the fringes to the mainstream. The 1973 release of On Any Sunday, the brilliant Bruce Brown film that documented the motorcycle boom in the US, also played a significant role in selling the unique fun that biking could offer. Magazines such as the sadly defunct REVS Motorcycle News (the format of which was the inspiration for Cycle Torque) became the fortnightly fount

of all things motorcycling. REVS, Two Wheels, Trail & Track, Cycle Australia, AMCN and ADB covered the local scene, while the newsstands were flooded with American imports Cycle, Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Cycle Guide, Dirt Bike and Motocross Action, while England’s MCN was also available. The late Ray Ryan, founder of VMX magazine and co-founder of ADB, was my favourite local scribe while Cycle’s impossibly erudite trio of the late Gordon Jennings, Phil Schilling and Cook Neilson were, and remain, a constant source of inspiration. It was a true education reading the works of these brilliant journos and catching up with all the news, however old it was. But for a fan like me, the fortnightly dose of REVS or AMCN just wasn’t enough. With the internet still 20 years away, I decided to get myself a short-wave radio and chance upon coverage of the GP circus via BBC World Service, and AMA racing on the Voice of America.

I don’t remember exactly how I tracked it down, but I do recall venturing to Sydney’s Goulburn Street and a pokey electronics store in early 1976 and paying around $70 for a Russian made Selena-Vega short-wave radio. It did pick up BBC World Service and the Voice of America, and I did get scant reports on Barry Sheene’s march towards his first world championship, but nothing on AMA racing, which remains very much an oddity in the world’s largest democracy. I count the Russian radio alongside my first helmet, gloves and boots as nostalgic accoutrements of my formative years in motorcycling, underlying the fanaticism - however misplaced - of my new-found passion that I parlayed into writing this piece almost 40 years later. By mid-1976 my CL100 was on its last-legs, the seat secured by a piece of string after I stripped the mounting-nut welded to the rear subframe. The return spring on the kick-start had long broken, which meant securing it with a section of occy-strap, and the thing just wouldn’t pull up hills

anymore. It was definitely a carburettor/fuel problem, like a whacky float level, but no amount of fiddling would solve it. I sold the bike to a young bloke from Bankstown, whom I warned about its asthmatic state. Despite struggling up our steep, rocky footpath on his 30m test ride, he put down the necessary $150. I hope he fixed it. It was probably sloppy tappet adjustment.

After the demise of the old Honda, it was time to step up to new technologies. After all, bikes remained cool and surf fashion labels like Golden Breed were jumping on the bandwagon. In fact it was Golden Breed’s Aussie licencee who first began making Golden Breed motocross jerseys, exporting them back to the US parent company. Although I got a 1977 Yamaha DT250D and my L-plate six months after selling the Honda, I owned a Golden Breed Bultaco jersey which I think I got for my 17th birthday. We’re talking hip with a capital ‘H’. Not to diminish the sartorial importance of the Golden Breed MX jerseys, the seven-year gap between my Honda and Yamaha marked a huge leap from the past to the future.

The DT250D was the first-ever road-going bike with mono-shock rear suspension, and the first Japanese trailbike with conical hubs, radial-finned head and cam-snail chain adjusters. We’re talking super, duper trick here.

In 1979, I sold the DT and bought a low km Yamaha RD400D with de rigueur flat-bars, and beautiful J&R chrome ‘chambers that generated a hit and wail at 5000rpm that has never left me. The memory has lasted, but the bike didn’t. I wrote it off several days after returning from the Easter Bathurst meeting. That is definitely another story…

– Darryl Flack

THIS year marks my 40th anniversary of riding a motorcycle for the first time. It was also the start of my prized bike magazine collection. That early passion for both riding and writing led to a life’s ambition to become a motorcycle journalist, a vocational hobby I stumbled into 17 years later.

Tuning in

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 23GUNTRIP

There’s a new set of lights here, installed presumably to allow the good citizens of Dalrymple Avenue to turn onto the highway in either direction, but for some reason the eastbound highway lights are red long after westbound have turned to green, so we sit there taking in the sights. A line of westbound bikes comes through, headed by Father Christmas on a Gold Wing. The man with the beard gives me a wave that improves my view of life and then we’re off, down the smart new dual carriageway for Bullaburra and Lawson. Generally all the pain from two years and more of roadworks is beginning to pay off, though it’s still pretty ugly through Hazelbrook and Woodford. And here, at the head of a line of traffic working painfully through the single-lane stuff, I come across a familiar mountains irritation. He’s an old buffer who insists on driving below the legal limit, raising blood pressure and shortening tempers wherever he seems to go. I pass him eventually, casting a glance in his direction to look for visible evidence of his affliction and note his jabbing finger directing my attention to a heavily worded notice in the driver’s side rear window. There’s too much to read safely but I note that he’s still making some kind of protest about speeding when there are kids around. A fair point, but a dumb way of making it.

The road opens out between Woodford and Faulconbridge. A great view to the left makes me draw deeply on Mother Nature’s good clean air, then roll off on the run down towards Springwood. The traffic thickens here and the temperature begins to lift. Roll up behind a little convoy of utes, obstinately sticking to the outside lane at a tick below the posted limit, forcing the quicker vehicles to find a way through among the slow stuff. Then

everybody slows dramatically for the speed camera and we’re waiting for the lights through Blaxland.

It’s hot now and everybody’s jockeying for position through the Lapstone bends, held up by a white four-wheel drive whose occupants don’t seem quite to have agreed on the details of the day’s journey. It weaves off down the Mulgoa Road ramp, last seen trying to decide whether to head left or right come crunch time. There’s more room on the freeway. Saturday mornings are full of parents ferrying children to sporting endeavours, heading for shopping centres or family engagements. It’s a messy tangle, and demands more concentration than the Monday-to-Friday A to B and back again. Weekday rush-hour traffic is usually fast and easy to understand; weekends are about choice, contradiction and confusion.

The Northern Road is a surprise. Skirting Badgerys Creek and Narellan, it is pleasantly rural, even rustic: along its length are plenty of spots to stock up on chook manure, fruit and even livestock. It is well-surfaced and sparsely populated. There is a breeze, keeping the worst of the heat at bay, at least until the junction with Camden Valley Way. For me, this road is old Sydney, the route to Oran Park that ran past the crumbling white render of El Caballo Blanco, another reminder of the ’80s. It was the road to the Coke 800, the Bel-Ray Superbike series and, ultimately, the Castrol Six-Hour – though that properly belongs to another housing estate. Two Harleys rumble past, then another two, apehanger bars and open exhausts. I turn right and slip in behind them, a white-helmeted bloke on a Triumph, clearly not part of the group, who turns left onto Denham Court Road while they thunder southwards.

A left, a right, then a glimpse of Heathcote National Park from a crest before I turn for the downhill run towards Leumeah and Campbelltown. The traffic, sparse since leaving the Narellan road, begins to thicken again. This is new territory to me; I have been this way but once before, more than a decade ago. Then it was VR Commodores and E series Falcons. Today it’s new housing estates, BMW sedans and large, black AWDs with tinted windows and oversize alloy rims. A complete change of mood.

I’m close to journey’s end now. Across innumerable tiny roundabouts of the type apparently loved by modern town planners, then down a last hill and out again into the fringes of the bush, this time backing onto a military reserve. Unexpectedly, my ride ends with 500m of dirt, past a white dog that clearly takes issue with blokes in crash helmets arriving unannounced on his patch. Another 100 metres and I roll to a stop beside a well-used XR650R wearing street tyres, modified suspension and, incongruously, a Matchless emblem on its tank. I pull off my helmet and feel the heat building to an ugly peak. Geoff comes out to greet me. There is a little more grey hair than last time, but the same set to the jaw and the same air of unruffled competence that comes of building racing motorcycles under pressure.

“Come inside,” he says. “Out of the heat.”

Much later, as I turn to leave, he places a 90mm magnesium piston in my hand. “It’ll be a long time before you see another of those,” he says.

It’s been a good day.

– Bob Guntrip

DOWN the hill, across the railway bridge and through the village. Pause for a moment at the end of Railway Street to take in the new maze of arrows and signs, then filter left onto the highway – and come to an abrupt stop.

Eastbound

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 24

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Boosted Ninja

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 25

Kawasaki has gone back to the future for its new 636.

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The new Ninja will be sold alongside regular 600cc ZX-6Rs, so getting a 2013 model to race won’t be an issue. But while the new 636 will have the updated livery, the 2013 599cc ZX-6R will be a carry over model so it wears the previous fairings and so on.

Running gearThis isn’t a new thing for Kawasaki, from the early noughties until just a few years ago both 599cc and bigger capacity ZX-6Rs were available, giving riders the option. Most would agree the older 636 was always a better option for the road, as the extra capacity gave more torque. It was just easier to ride at lower revs. The previous 636 had an increased bore size to get the extra cubes. The 2013 636 gets it having increased engine stroke.

There’s nothing super surprising inside the engine. Intake and exhaust port areas have been reshaped to suit the larger capacity, and the camshafts have been revised also. Compression ratio has gone down slightly and stronger conrods are part of the changes too. Kawasaki anoraks would notice each of the four header pipes are now joined before the collector to aid in bottom and mid range horsepower.

The slipper clutch is quite a work of art. A combination of fewer springs plus an assist cam has resulted in a clutch lever pull which is 20 per cent lighter than before, according to Kawasaki. We never thought the previous model clutch was heavy, but the new one does feel very light.

A shorter first gear has been fitted to suit the road rather than the race track, and the gearbox has been strengthened to suit the extra power, which incidentally is just over 130 horsepower.

While the chassis and swingarm are essentially unchanged from the 2012 ZX-6R there are some suspension updates. Showa Big Piston Forks first saw duty on the ZX-6R in 2009, and for 2013 the 636 ZX-6R gets the Showa Separate Function Fork – Big Piston. Phew, that was hard to get out. What it means is that the 636 still has the BP forks but you now make changes to the preload on the left fork and compression/rebound on the right. This makes life easier for the suspension tuner, maybe you, to make adjustments. All adjustments are

made at the top of the forks, and you don’t need to do them on both forks.

At the rear a more road friendly layout is fitted. Basically it’s still the same Showa shock as before but the longer spring, softer spring rate and higher lever ratios give a plusher ride than before. Both ends are fully adjustable.

Monobloc Nissin calipers, 310mm rotors and a radial master cylinder provide powerful braking, and ABS gives an extra degree of safety. All stuff you expect on a machine of this type these days.

ElectronicsLike the ZX-14, the 636 Ninja ZX-6R has a 3-mode traction control system (KTRC). In modes one and two the bike’s computer allows a certain amount of slip to get maximum acceleration using various machine and rider inputs, including front and rear wheel speed, to control the traction. Mode three is more for riding in the rain or dirt roads if you are

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GIVING the Ninja ZX-6R a boost in capacity might have disqualified the bike from being able to race in world and national supersport or superstock championships but the capacity increase and other changes make it a better road bike than the outgoing ZX-6R.

Boosted Ninja

n TEST BY CHRIS PICKETT : PHOTOS BY KEITH MUIR

n RIDING GEAR: ALEX: REEVU HELMET, ARLEN NESS LEATHERS, GLOVES AND BOOTS.CHRIS: REEVU HELMET, RST LEATHERS, GLOVES BY FIVE GLOVES, ALPINESTARS BOOTS.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 27unlucky enough to find yourself on one. You can turn KTRC off if you so wish but it is a default system meaning every time you start the engine KTRC will be engaged.

All bikes on the launch were fitted with Kawasaki’s lightweight KIBS ABS braking system. It is designed to operate under conditions where the bike is ridden hard, so won’t engage the ABS unnecessarily if you are about to pitch it into a corner while hard on the brakes. It’s a very complex set up which works extremely well in the real world.

With the two power modes you can select up to eight combinations, with both Full and Low Power having the same grunt at lower RPM, Low Power having only 80 per cent power and a softer delivery from just under half of the 16,000 revs available. Changing settings isn’t complex, unlike some other set-ups on the market, and this isn’t a bad thing.

The rideAt the launch Kawasaki representatives said the suspension is designed to cope with roads rather than racetracks, and they were dead right. On the test track the suspension would have benefited from firmer settings but we think the softer settings will work well on the road.

Having ridden some race ZX-6Rs in the past few years you could notice the extra plushness in the forks and shock on the 636, but most riders, including track day junkies would be happy with the standard equipment, adjusted to suit their weight and ability.

You can certainly notice the extra bottom and mid range power from the 37cc capacity increase, and we couldn’t find any problem with the power and feel of the brakes.

The only gripe we had was a snatchy throttle. In tight corners the bike would tip in nicely on a closed throttle but trying to get the throttle on

smoothly on exit was a bit difficult. We were also able to sample the 2013 ZX-10R and Z1000 on the same day and we found the ZX-10R had the same throttle trait as the ZX-6R, while the Z1000 was fine. We put this down to a more flexible power delivery on the Z1000. We also thought perhaps faster, smoother riders wouldn’t have that issue but onboard footage we took of a much faster rider on the ZX-6R showed it was still there to some degree.

Kawasaki ZX-10R racer Matt Walters was at the launch and was impressed with the machine, saying that with some suspension changes he would prefer to race the new Ninja ZX-6R 636 than his ZX-10R, the bike he just happened to take to 3rd place in the Formula Xtreme FX Superbike Australian Championships. We wonder just how much slower the lap times would be between the ZX-10R and a ‘race prepared’ ZX-6R? Not much according to Matt. We think more than a few 636s will make their way onto race tracks to take on the bigger bikes.

VerdictRiders wanting a supersport machine for the road will love this bike, for the same reasons the Triumph Daytona 675 has been so successful. The extra torque derived from the capacity increase makes it a more pleasurable experience on the road, and the softer suspension adds to the experience rather than detracting from it.

At $15,999 it’s a great deal too, as the years roll by the bikes get better and generally cheaper in the scheme of things. That’s a lot of machine for the money. n

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Second OpinionWow, what a bike. I loved the extra midrange the 636 has over a ‘regular’ ZX-6R, and the brakes are simply awesome.

Plenty of times I had the revs soaring towards the redline as I shifted down for corners but the slipper clutch allowed me to enter the corner smoother and quicker than I’ve experienced on other supersports.

Exiting corners I found the throttle touchy but it was only on the very tight corners, so I don’t expect it to cause too many issues on the road or on a race track.

While the suspension is designed for the road the riding position is for the track.

The engine is a gem so I wonder when Kawasaki will put it in something more suitable for everyday riding, an ER-636n maybe?

– Alex Pickett

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 28

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http://www.cycletorque.com.au/video

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www.kawasaki.com.au

SPECIFICATIONS: n ENGINE TYPE: LIQUID-COOLED INLINE 4

n CAPACITY: 636CC

n TRANSMISSION: 6-SPEED

n FUEL CAPACITY: 17 LITRES

n FRAME TYPE: ALLOY PERIMETER

n SEAT HEIGHT: 830MM

n WET WEIGHT: 194KG

n FRONT SUSPENSION: 41MM BPF SFF

n REAR SUSPENSION: UNI-TRAK

n BRAKES: NISSIN TWIN 4-PISTON RADIAL CALIPERS, SINGLE REAR CALIPER

n TYRES: 120/70-17, 180/55-17

n PRICE (RRP): $15,999 + ORC

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WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE GUARANTEED*

CALL FOR A QUOTE1800 24 34 64

The extra capacity gives more bottom and mid range stomp than the 599cc engine.

Big Piston Forks, but now with Separate Fork Function too.

ABS is standard on the 2013 Ninja 636.

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2013 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 32Reevu MSX1 Rear Vision

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YAMAHA STAR CRUISER RANGE

Team of St J rs

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YAMAHA STAR CRUISER RANGE

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Cruise or commute?

Cruise or commute? Why not do both?

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We sampled most of the range during the recent launch and came away suitably impressed with the machines we rode, and we can tell you size isn’t everything when it comes to Yamaha’s Star cruisers.Here’s a run down on what’s on offer and what we thought of them.

XV1900AT Star TourerThis is the big daddy of the range, with the 113 cubic inch (1854cc) V-twin engine providing lots of grunt. Maximum torque chimes in at only 2500rpm, so this engine is all about relaxed riding.It will crank along quickly if you so desire but that’s not what the Star Tourer is all about in our opinion. Fill the good capacity panniers with gear, clip on the quick release screen, and you and your pillion are away for the weekend in comfort.It’s a big long bike, weighing

364 kilos with 17 litres of fuel in the tank but the weight sits low. It’s low too, so grinding the footboards is easy. Take your time and it isn’t an issue, and even if you are scraping the boards you can still lean it over a decent amount before things dig into the tar.We really liked the Star Tourer, especially the relaxed feel of the engine and the comfy riding position and seat. • $24,099.

Roadliner XV1900AThe Roadliner shares the same running gear, frame etc as the Star Tourer, it’s just a stripped down version really. It rides the same but feels a bit sportier than the tourer. You can get a bit crazy with this bike at low speed, burnouts and the like. It also shares the tourer’s footboards and belt drive.The brakes work remarkably well for a bike this size, which incidentally is 346 kilos, nearly 20 less than the tourer because of the tourer’s panniers and screen.We do like the art deco styling on both the Star Tourer and the Roadliner. Overall both the 1900cc models are a pleasure to ride. There are weight and ground clearance issues which might not suit everyone but are an inherent part of a design like this no matter what the brand. That said, ride it as the designers intended and you will have a great time. • $21,499.

XVS1300AT Star TourerAlthough this model has many of the touring accessories as the 1900cc Star Tourer it does have different styling, a slightly more modern look if you will.The 1300cc V-twin engine actually has a higher top speed than the 1900 but really that’s not what it’s about. The engine revs harder too, and after riding the 1900 the 1300 feels totally different.The riding position is very dated, but in a good way. It reminded

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 36

n TEST BY CHRIS PICKETT : PHOTOS BY TIM MUNRO AND YAMAHA

CAN you imagine a range of V-twin motorcycles covering capacities from 250cc to 1900cc? It’s no dream, that’s Yamaha’s Star team of machines. Yamaha has one of the biggest ranges of cruisers on the market, with six different engine sizes making up 10 individual models. Each engine has its own character, and each style will attract different characters too. Not every model in the Star range will suit everyone but there’s sure to be one which will suit you, if a cruiser is what you’re after.

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YAMAHA STAR CRUISER RANGE

Team of St J rs

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 37

us of a WLA Harley, with the pulled back handlebars, rounded screen and footboard position being almost spot on to one of those HD classics. Slightly more ground clearance than the 1900s and ticking along a country road at over the national speed limit was fantastic fun, a real blast from the past. Nice bike this one. • $18,299.

V Star XVS1300ALike the Roadliner, this is the stripped down version of the two 1300cc models. It weighs 304 kilos with 19 litres of fuel, some five kilos lighter than the 1300 Star Tourer. Don’t know why the panniers and screen on the 1300 tourer are lighter than those on the 1900 but overall the 1300cc models do feel a fair bit lighter than the 1900s.Riding position is more compact on these two models compared to the 1900s. We can see the 1300 Star Tourer and V Star appealing to similar riders as those interested in the Roadliner and 1900 Star Tourer, depending on the size of your wallet or purse, and maybe which particular ‘feel’ you prefer. • $15,999

V Star XVS1100Both the Classic and Custom versions of this bike are the final edition, and there aren’t many of them left on dealership floors.Like the 1300cc engine, the 1100cc V-twin doesn’t mind being revved. No belt drive on this baby, it’s shaft all the way. This basic engine and drive train has been around for aeons and is ultra reliable. Styling is a bit hit and miss in our opinion but the 1100 rides well enough, although the riding position is a bit cramped for taller riders. • Classic – $15,699. • Custom – $14,699.

V Star XVS950AThe only 950 in the range, this bike looks cool, especially with the mag wheels. Like the 1100, the riding position isn’t great for those over six foot. Don’t be afraid of the belt drive, they are very reliable, and the footboards won’t touch down as easily as some of the bigger models. Nice bike, especially for those a bit concerned about the weight and size of

the bigger models. The XVS950A is only 278 kilos with 17 litres of fuel, so should be suitable for plenty of riders. • $13,999.

V Star XVS650Both 650cc models (Classic and Custom) are learner legal, and that’s one of the reasons it’s one of the market leaders in cruisers. Great little bike but tall riders will struggle with the lack of room over longer distances.Engine is surprisingly capable, and there’s a fair bit of ground clearance too. This is one plenty of lady riders will like because it isn’t intimidating, goes well and tips the scales at only 247 kilos with a full tank of 16 litres. Fun little bike this one.Yamaha will also offer a bobber kit for the 650 V Star in the very near future. We were able to check out the protoype and it looks fantastic. For a young or LAMS rider, this little beauty gives you all the street cred you want. It has wider ’bars, a bobbed fibreglass rear fender, and a set of Vance & Hines mufflers which sound very sweet indeed. The kit’s finalised price should be sorted by the time you read this. It looked bad in black but we reckon a metalflake paint job in Candy Green or similar would look the bomb. • Classic – $10,990. • Custom – $10,499.

ViragoThe little 250 Virago has been around since Moses.... Well, let’s just say the design is ‘timeless’. Seriously though, the Virago is the surprise packet of the range, it kept up at highway speeds with the bigger bikes on the launch and was a hoot to ride. These are reliable to a fault, and parts, if ever you need them, can probably be found covered in dust on most Yamaha dealer’s spares racks.How many riders started their motorcycle journey through life on a Virago? Lots. Very fuel efficient, the 10 litre of fuel will last you ages, and they only weigh 147 kilos wringing wet.Fantastic bike this one, and of course it’s also LAMS approved. • $6,499. n

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Custom

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YAMAHA STAR CRUISER RANGE

V Star XVS1300A

XVS1300AT Star Tourer

http://www.cycletorque.com.au/video

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V Star XVS650 with Bobber Kit

Virago

V Star XVS950A

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YAMAHA STAR CRUISER RANGE

XV1900AT Star Tourer

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V Star XVS650 Custom

XV1900AT Star Tourer

V Star XVS950A

Virago

V Star XVS1300A

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 45CYCLE TORQUE TEST

BMW C 600 SPORT AND C 650 GT SCOOTERS

taking it to the maxBMW

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YES, BMW once had a little dalliance with the world of scooters but it seem to have caught its second breath and what a result. Both the Sport and GT models are far more capable than just blatting around the city.

There is no doubting the power of the BMW brand and it will be interesting to see how this latest offering from BMW impacts the maxi scooter market.

On the standA couple of obvious differences separate the C 600 Sport and the C 650 GT, notwithstanding the same engine in both but more on that later.

The C 600 Sport has a seat more in tune with an extremely active riding position with attention to the ergos as regards the footboards, seat and handlebar geometry whereas the GT has an obviously more plush seat which incorporates an unobtrusive and adjustable rider backrest as well as slightly higher handlebars and comfortable footboards for the passenger instead of separate footpegs adding to the comfort for longer stretches on the bike.

The windscreens differ slightly in that the C 600 Sport has a manual adjustment, which can be adjusted on the move while the C 650 GT has electric operation for a slightly more fuller touring oriented screen.

And that fullness in the GT’s styling also is reflected in the body panels with the C 600 Sport looking that little bit leaner and sleeker while the GT has that more fullsome cruiser feel to it that focuses on comfort and protection from wind and weather.

Other differences include the C 600 Sport front indicators integrated into the panelling, twin circular headlights with two side lights on left and right, LED rear light cluster with single turn indicators.

The C 650 GT has front indicators integrated into

the mirrors, twin circular headlights with side lights between them presenting a vertical light strip of three elements, LED rear light cluster with integrated turn indicators.

Both machines have hand grips for pillion passengers, with the GT looking after back seat riders a little better overall.

While we’re on the subject of “on the stand” I want to specifically mention the stand itself.

When the sidestand is down it engages a cable that mechanically actuates the rear brake caliper to stop the machine from rolling. And it works fabulously even on what you could consider to be a fairly steep downward incline. How simple, how brilliant, how BMW is that?

To look at both of these scooters from the front they almost look more like sportsbikes than scooters and I was to find out that they almost behave that way too, more on that later.

On the roadLaunch day dawned bright and clear and after a

rundown from BMW’s Miles Davis on the bikes and the route we were to take we headed off for a quick seaside breakfast in Bondi before tackling city traffic on our way south to take on the Royal National Park and then on to Stanwell Tops and Bulli Pass.

The all new twin cylinder inline engine developed by BMW for these machines has a 79mm bore and 65mm stroke giving a displacement of 647cc.

BMW has done this to us before with the 650/800cc options amongst its offroad offerings. Is it aimed at diluting any possible intimidation factor of stepping up to the big maxi scooter, sort of like matching a motorcycle to a customer?

Both models have a rated power output of 44kW (60hp) a 7500rpm and maximum torque of 66 Nm is available at 6000rpm.

The need to create a highly compact powerplant for a scooter configuration sees the liquid-cooled twin cylinder engine get a really flat cylinder bank which inclines 70 degrees forward. The low positioning of the motor obviously offers that low centre of gravity as well as the design needs of the scooter and its powertrain.

n TEST BY DENNIS PENZOPHOTOS KEITH MUIR/BMW

CYCLE TORQUE TESTBMW C 600 SPORT AND C 650 GT SCOOTERS

When is a scooter not a scooter? When it’s a BMW.

BMW taking it to the max

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The 270 degree offset firing order give both bikes a throaty kind of sound.

Both bikes feel smooth on the road with good sized wheels with a 3.5 x 15” five-spoke diecast light alloy on the front (120/70 -15 tyre) while the rear carries a 4.5 x 15 (160/60-15 tyre).

Rear suspension is based on a single swingarm of diecast aluminium (single piece unit supplemented with a bolted aluminium sidecap for extra torsional rigidity). Interestingly the swingarm bearing isn’t fitted to the engine case like conventional scooters, but on the frame like a normal motorcycle.

ABS is standard on both and so is the onboard computer.

Once we had traversed Sydney’s busy morning traffic we headed south, bound for the Royal National Park where a revelation awaited.

These maxi scooter could easily put some sportsbikes to shame, a fact well proven on the spirited strop through the twisty sections of the Royal National Park.

During my early riding years in the ’70s and ’80s this was one of my riding haunts, being originally a Wollongong lad, as was the ‘coast road’, as we called it, which now sports the Sea Cliff bridge.

So I was certainly familiar with the route and quite impressed with the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT’s sure footedness and feel.

Thankfully the ABS combined with some meaty braking capacity via twin 270mm discs up front with two double-piston floating calipers while the rear carries 270mm disc with double-piston floating calipers.

The brake levers have five adjustments.

And speaking of adjustments, I loved the idea of the two trip meters, one of which automatically re-sets to zero overnight. Very BMW thinking. How often do you take off on a trip without remembering to re-set your trip meter?

Good acceleration, brakes and suspension made the trip down to Stanwell Park a breeze.

There are still a couple of bumpy sections on that road but the 115mm travel at either end soaked up everything they encountered. The front sports upside down 40mm tubes and there is adjustment on the rear.

A quick stop to enjoy the view, then a tight descent down from Stanwell Park before turning up Bulli Pass for

a quick technical briefing and then lunch.

We all had plenty of opportunities to swap bikes and get a feel for both models. And then we did the whole trip back the other way.

The 16 litre fuel tank is good for at least 300km so a trip like this is easily done.

On the extrasThe C650 GT comes with electric screen, heated grips and seat and tyre pressure monitors as standard. The only optional extra on this model is the theft alarm, priced at $505.

All these things are offered as options on the C 600 Sport, except the screen which is manual.

The C 600 Sport has a unique flexcase under the seat so that you can stow two helmets. The bottom of the storage area flexes downwards to create a decent space and the bike won’t start with the flexcase extended.

The C 650 GT has a large storage area of about 60 litres under the seat which will easily take two helmets and other bits and bobs.

There is also heaps of other bling you can get for your bikes such as top boxes, luggage racks, tinted screens (for the C 600 Sport), Akrapovic sports silencer, additional onboard socket, ashperical mirror (for the C 650 GT), various seats with heaters, various equipment options such as chrome sets of footrests, footboard insets etc). Really, you’re best off to check the website, there’s quite a bit of stuff available for both bikes.

As I write this I receive an email from BMW announcing a “low seat” option for both models. it will be a no-cost factory option available from February 1. That means you can get a 780mm high instead of the standard 800mm on the C 600 Sport or a 785mm for the C 600 GT instead of the standard 805mm.

On the walletThe C 600 Sport is $13,990 plus on-roads, with designated optional extras coming in at $1250 and the alarm is another $505.

The C 650 GT is $15,990 with the alarm being the only optional extra at $505.

So, who is this bike pitched at? And that’s the other thing I’ve noticed. I’ve tested lots of scooters before but this is the first time I keep catching myself out constantly referring to these machines as bikes rather than scooters - a reflection of their performance perhaps?

By its own admission, BMW doesn’t expect to sell truckloads of these models in Australia. Obviously they will appeal to the same crew that likes the look of scooters like Yamaha’s T-Max or Suzuki’s Burgman, but they will also appeal to the rider who wants a prestige brand: plenty of people commute in Audis, Mercs and of course BMW cars – converting some of those people over to the convenience of a scooter could result in sales of these machines.

Prospective buyers certainly will love the performance and build quality, as you’d expect from BMW. n

n TEST BY DENNIS PENZOPHOTOS KEITH MUIR/BMW

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 48CYCLE TORQUE TEST

BMW C 600 SPORT AND C 650 GT SCOOTERS

http://www.cycletorque.com.au/video

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 49CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 49

Brakes work as good as they look.

Very comfy seat for both rider and pillion on the GT.

CVT drive transfers power to the rear chain which is encased in an oil bath.

Lots of room here. Integrated look fits the overall style.

www.cycletorque.com.au/more

www.bmwmotorrad.com.au

SPECIFICATIONS: BMW C650GT (C600 SPORT)n ENGINE TYPE: LIQUID-COOLED TWINn APACITY: 647CCn TRANSMISSION: CVTn FUEL CAPACITY: 16 LITRESn FRAME TYPE: STEEL TUBEn SEAT HEIGHT: 795MM (810MM) n WET WEIGHT: 261KG (249KG)n FRONT SUSPENSION: 40MM USDn REAR SUSPENSION: SINGLE SIDED

SWINGARMn BRAKES: TWIN 2-PISTON FRONT

CALIPERS, SINGLE REAR CALIPERn TYRES: 120/70-15, 160/60-15n PRICE (RRP): $15,990 + ORC (13,990)

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 50CYCLE TORQUE TEST

BMW C 600 SPORT AND C 650 GT SCOOTERS

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 51

The 1199 Panigale S maintains tradition with its Tricolour livery, celebrating ‘Made in Borgo Panigale’ technological excellence and marks the start of a new Ducati Superbike era.

The Desmodromic engine packs an astonishing punch: with 195hp and 132Nm of torque, the Superquadro is the world’s most powerful L-twin.

With class-leading performance and safety technology as standard,nothing compares!

Visit your local Authorised Ducati Dealer to test ride and experienceAuthentic Italian Performance today.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 52CYCLE TORQUE TEST

SKYTEAM ACE 125

Cost Effective Cool

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RETRO, COOL, CAFE RACER? The Skyteam Ace shows fun doesn’t necessarily have a hefty price tag.

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 54

Briefly, what we have here is a Chinese motorcycle, which world-wide is known as the Skyteam Ace 125. The Ikonik Motorcycle Company situated in Western Australia is the Australian Importer.

In 2004 Honda reproduced the 110 as the limited edition Honda Dream 50. The Skyteam Ace 125 was inspired from the Dream. And what’s wrong with that? Nothing, let me on it.

When I was called in to take this little beauty for a ride, I already had a picture in my head. Fully tucked in, flying across a finish line, first of course, all captured in Black and White………oh yeah.

Cycle Torque HQWhen I turned up to pick up the Skyteam the conversation went like this. “Geez Picko, the dry weight is 87kg. I have just had lunch and my wet weight is more than that. Do you think this little Ace is up to it?” “Mate, you look good on that, the power will suit your ability,” said editor Picko. “Give me the key, I‘m out of here.”

What can I say, the Ace is a real eye catcher. Red frame, silver tank which is long, sleek and makes me think of a fuselage on a plane. Low bars, drum

rear brake, short stubby pipe, single seater, two gauges which tell you the basics such as blinkers, high beam and most importantly the speedo. Something else I noticed was I had a choice to turn off the headlight, which I immediately switched on.

Fuel on, bit of choke and I kick the Ace over. Lovely little thud thud from the four stroke, two valve engine. Yes it has a kick-starter, and the electric leg.

The rideNot even out of the car park, the smile is on my face. The Ace is just so simple and basic, taking me back to my earlier years when I first hit the bitumen, legally for the first time. I am in and out of traffic giving the 5-speed box a real workout. Nothing wrong with the changes either. Fantastic fun. I keep thinking, ‘geez I am absolutely carving these simpleton car drivers up, better check the old speedo’. Oh, only going 65km/h or so. Wow

this bike could be a licence saver for me.

I must look good on it, because as far as I am concerned everyone is just gawking at this Skyteam Ace. Everywhere I stop, onlookers flock on over. Editor Picko mentioned it was equally popular during the photo shoot, something I was not invited to I might add. Could have something to do with my wet weight. Anyway a fella stopped and mentioned he thought it was an early model

CYCLE TORQUE TESTSKYTEAM ACE 125Cost Effective CoolIF CAFÉ Racers, retros, and cool bikes get your attention, go and check out the Skyteam Ace 125cc. Its look is heavily based on the Honda RC110 road racer from the 1960s, and it’s a fun motorcycle to ride. Learner riders, lady riders, and guys looking for a retro piece of cool riding kit should line up now to check one out in the flesh.

n TEST BY TONY ‘CARNAGE’ PENFOLD : PHOTOS BY NIGEL PATERSON

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 55

Ducati racer.

Even when I had to finally spend $6 to fuel up – by the way Picko it was 98 octane and I have the receipt – the service station attendant bailed me up and had a good look over the bike. He loved it. Talking fuel economy, I was getting around 3.5l/100km or in old school talk, bit over 80 mpg. Yeah well, enough said there. Unbelievable.

I ventured into some twisties and gave the telescopic front forks and twin rear shocks a bit of a workout. The 18-inch rib tyres did the job. The bike is just so easy and fun to ride, like motorcycling should be. For the record I was also descending quite a steep mountain and was definitely giving the Ace’s top speed a real nudge.

Keep it stock?Now with a bike like this, a bit of customising could personalise/change the look very quickly. The boys at Cycle Torque would definitely drop a couple of neat bar end mirrors on the Ace. Maybe a chrome pipe or at least knock the back out for some nice music. Sorry to the noise protesters.

For the tech heads who like their ‘tweaking’ things I guess you could have a play to get a bit more power and improve the suspension. I like simple myself, some say very simple, so my changes would be to adjust the mirrors and check the tyre pressures. This bike has it all. Try this, just ride it.

Verdict - MarketWho would ride this bike you say? Well anyone. Great for a burn around town on the weekend. A new rider who might have been thinking of buying an auto, could ride the Ace 125, no problems. I can see young people loving the old school look, which my 13-year-old daughter confirmed.

What about the enthusiast who cannot come up with the 10k or so for the Honda Dream 50? A mate of mine made an interesting comment that he spends thousands on art to hang on his wall. He loves motorcycles and decided he could see the value in the $2995 ride away price and he may just make the Ace 125 his most favoured piece of

art in his shed. That put it all in perspective for me. How good would the Skyteam Ace look parked and slightly elevated in a motorcycle shed, just beside my adult drink cooler?

Now as said $2995 ride away is pretty hard to beat. If you want to be picky, go and spend around 10k for a very similar looking bike out of Japan.

The Ace comes with 12 months warranty. Importers Ikonik state they have invested a ‘significant amount’ into spare parts, service and support. A very special thanks to Jo at Wickham Motorcycle Co, situated in Newcastle NSW (02) 4969 6525, for providing the Skyteam Ace 125 test machine. I really enjoyed the ride. See www.ikonikmoto.com.au for more information. n

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 56CYCLE TORQUE TEST

SKYTEAM ACE 125http://www.cycletorque.com.au/video

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 57

Very basic instrumentation. Very traditionally-styled seat.

Kick starter is there if the electric leg has an issue.

A single front disc might not be as retro in style as a drum, but it works better.

Little 125cc single - fun but not powerful.

www.cycletorque.com.au/more

www.ikonikmoto.com.au

SPECIFICATIONS: n ENGINE TYPE: AIR-COOLED SINGLE

n CAPACITY: 125CC

n TRANSMISSION: 5-SPEED

n FUEL CAPACITY: 10 LITRES

n FRAME TYPE: STEEL TUBE

n SEAT HEIGHT: 780MM

n DRY WEIGHT: 87KG

n FRONT SUSPENSION: TELESCOPIC

n REAR SUSPENSION: TWIN SHOCK

n BRAKES: DISC/DRUM

n TYRES: 2.75-18, 3.00-18

n PRICE (RRP): $2,999

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 58CYCLE TORQUERACING FEATURE

A tale of two Ducati

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 59

MAKING the decision to race at the 2013 Manx GP on the Isle of Man was an easy one. The reality of actually doing it is an altogether different scenario.

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 60

Regular readers would know my son Alex and I intend to race there next year, and the trip has been in the planning stages for some time now. In fact we have already sold our Kawasaki ZX-10R race bike to buy a machine more suited to the Manx GP. When I say more suited, it’s down to classes rather than specific machine suitability.

The Manx GP is seen as a feeder event for the TT, and the TT organisers said they would prefer we did the Manx GP first. In other words, our entry to the TT would be declined unless we had proven ourselves on the roads. This is a smart idea because like lots of international events there is a qualifying cut off time. If it’s your first time at the TT and you are trying to qualify it will be hard, especially when John McGuiness is punching out a 130+ mph lap. You can just picture a young rider riding way beyond their ability to qualify and justify the expense of racing on the Isle of Man, and the chance of coming unstuck goes way up.

And it is expensive. Just for team Cycle Torque we are looking at five airfares, shipping two bikes, accommodation for three weeks, food, Guinness, and car hire. I reckon if we get change from 20 grand we’ll be doing well. And then there’s the bikes.

Why Ducati, and why two of them?In recent times Ducati hasn’t been all that well represented on the IOM. In this year’s Manx GP there was only one entered in the classic class and that didn’t make it through practice week. You can’t race a modern 1000cc four cylinder machine in the Manx, the Junior class is for 600cc four cylinder/750cc twins, and the Senior class is limited to 750cc four/1000cc twins. So, the Junior is mostly Japanese Supersport style machines (a 748 Ducati would be uncompetitive), and the Senior dominated by Suzuki GSX-R 750s.

We had already chosen a Ducati 848 as our preferred mount for 2013 and had bought an accident damaged one prior to checking out the 2012 Manx GP recently in August. There was not one 848 entered. Not sure if they know something we don’t but the Ducati 848 is a very reliable machine, and fast too!

The bikesI bought Alex’s standard 8,000 kilometre 2009 848 off eBay. It was listed as a Statutory Write Off, meaning it can’t be reregistered anywhere in Australia. It wasn’t a major gamble as I had a mate check the bike out for me prior to pressing the Buy It Now button. Damage was minimal, and it’s hard to see why it was written off. You could have jumped on and ridden it away. Besides some minor scratches on the left side of the fairing there was

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 60CYCLE TORQUERACING FEATURE

A tale of two Ducati

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 61

a broken gear lever, small mark on the swingarm, slightly bent left handlebar (it’s still on the bike) and a dent in the front wheel. It looks as though old mate has run off the road into the gutter and slipped off.

I paid $7,300 for the bike, got the wheel repaired, bought some spares for it including handlebars, quick change sprocket carrier, some second-hand rear sets, and race fairing stay. Those plus a race fairing had the bike on the track for $9,000.

We then procured a set of Two Brothers slip on pipes which are dead set a 10 minute job to change, an RK chain, and some GB Racing case covers. We were then ready to race.

After a day of testing at Eastern Creek it was off to Wakefield Park for the St George Four Hour round where Alex raced in BEARS and Unlimited V-twins, finishing second in Unl V-Twins and fourth outright in BEARS after pulling out of one race when the left footpeg lost a bolt.

After a full ride day, two qualifiers and six races the Pirelli Diablo Superbike slicks looked like they had done about 10 laps. Handling was deemed fine and everything was sweet in the world.

Since then Alex has raced the bike at the final round of the Formula Xtreme Championships, getting some OK results in Pro Twins F2. It’s an accepted fact that most, if not all, 848s (not ours though) raced in that class have been fitted with a big bore kit, taking the bike to over 1000cc and giving it more power and torque. This isn’t an option for the Manx GP because the engine capacity rules are

strictly enforced. On the second day of the Formula Xtreme event we tested an Öhlins shock from an 848S, ride height, and rear tyre sizes, getting the bike pretty well sorted for short circuit racing. More work will be needed on the suspension to suit pure road racing. It needs to be softer to cope with the bumps of the IOM Mountain Course.

The bike now sits at MSC Steering Stabilisers getting a steering damper specially made for it. Yes, we could have bought one to bolt straight on but the team at MSC are our friends and their technical ability is second to none. It’s a small Aussie company too. MSC is more known for its off-road products but have some new trick products ready to go. Check them out at www.mscmoto.com.

Many of the short circuit 848s also have slipper clutches and triple clamps which change the fork offset. We have decided this isn’t for us, we need the bike to be stable and predictable, it’s not about how fast the bike can be run into a corner on the IOM, at least at our pace anyway.

When MSC is finished with the 848 it will be off to D Moto in Sydney where former Ducati factory mechanic Shaun Sutcliffe will prepare it for the rigours of around 15 laps of the 60 kilometre circuit. The engine will be stripped and rebuilt, suspension sorted and the bike lock-wired to within a mm of its life. Preparing a bike for the TT circuit is nothing like you would do for Eastern Creek for example. I lost count of the times I was told, ‘if it can fall off, it will,’ when Alex and I were at the Manx GP this year.

What about me?Now, that’s Alex’s bike is well on the way to being sorted but what will I be riding? Initially it was to be a 1985 Honda VF1000 I have which is in race trim and has been fitted with 17-inch wheels to take modern rubber. Basically it’s in Period 6 spec for classic racing here in Australia. Then, I happened to be talking to Shaun who had not long ago left Ducati and went out on his own with some friends to create D Moto Motorcycle Engineering at Granville in Sydney’s ’burbs. You can find them at 3-5 Harbord Street, Clyde, or call them on 02 8677 9120. When Shaun suggested I ride a Ducati 888 built by him, and the fact the Honda did need some work, I jumped at the chance. I do own three of the Italian machines so I only needed a very gentle push. To have someone of Shaun’s ability build and prepare both bikes is a huge boost to Team Cycle Torque. He’s also coming to the IOM with us to maintain the machines. What value do you put on that?

It’s a big undertaking, and there’s lots more work to do. Our plan is to race the 888 at the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed in early 2013 as a shakedown, and the 848 at one or two ride days. This gives us time to rectify any faults before the bikes are shipped out a couple of months before the 2013 Manx GP in late August.

Next time we will check out the modifications more in-depth, and see what Shaun does to the engines.

– Chris Pickett

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7. DON COX CIRCUS LIFE - SIGNED – $99.00Welcome to the gypsy world of the Continental Circus private entrants - warts and all - with the joys, camaraderie, heartache, laughs and low acts. It was a time when rider usually had to be truck driver, mechanic, cook and start-money negotiator as well. And management help? You wish! In the 1950s, it was considered un-Australian to push your own barrow.

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9. 365 MOTORCYCLES YOU MUST RIDE – $24.99These 365 must-ride motorcycles range from classic gaslight-era bikes, racers, and modern sportbikes to oddities that have to be ridden to be understood (or believed). From the 2007 Ducati 999R to the 1909 Harley-Davidson Silent Grey Fellow, 365 Motorcycles You Must Ride promises hours of entertainment (and a thrilling to-do list) to any motorcycle enthusiast.

1. THE CASTROL SIX HOUR PRODUCTION RACE – WAS $69.95 NOW $49.95For 18 years, the Castrol Six Hour Production Race was the biggest event on the Australian motorcycling calendar. Controversial, important and exciting, the Castrol Six Hour Production Race was one of those rare events which had bikes and tyres developed specifically to win it.

2. LOST ON EARTH – WAS $34.99 NOW $27.99 “The only way I am coming home is by bike or by box,” Steve Crombie writes when he first hits the road, travelling 90,000kms from Australia to the Arctic Circle via South America. It takes him two years. He suffers from dehydration, starvation and disease. He rebuilds his motorcycle four times. Along the way Steve not only tests his limits but meets the world head on - waking up behind iron bars in Tierra Del Fuego.

3. TROY BAYLISS – WAS $34.95 NOW $29.95 This is the story of a life dedicated to racing, the story of a man who has always lived among motorcycles. The Ducati Yearbook chronicles the life of Troy Bayliss, Ducati World Superbike Champion through his memories and his experiences (on and off the track), his relationship with his team and with the bikes and the thrilling emotions experienced together. Take a look into the life of Troy Bayliss, his racing career and his passion for Ducati. Troy and the bikes from Borgo Panigale, like the 999 and 1098, together made history. This is a book of photography with images accompanied by the words of the rider, fellow Ducatisti friends, colleagues, family and fans all who came in contact with this Superbike legend a true icon for all passionate motorcycling fans, Ducatisti and non.

4. HOW TO BUILD A CHEAP CHOPPER – WAS $49.99 NOW $29.99 Choppers dont have to cost thirty thousand dollars. In fact, a chopper built at home can be had for as little as five thousand dollars. The key is the use of a donor bike for most of the components. How to Build a Cheap Chopper documents the construction of four inexpensive choppers with complete start-to-finish photo sequences. Least expensive is the metric chopper, based on a 1970s vintage Japanese four-cylinder engine and transmission installed in a hardtail frame. Dont look for billet accessories or a fancy candy paint job on this one.Next up, price wise, are two bikes built using Buell/Sportster drivetrains. The fact is, a complete used Buell or Sportster can be had for five thou or less. Now you’ve got more than an engine you have wheels and tyres, brakes, hardware, lights, harness, and some sheet metal. Bolt all that stuff to a simple hardtail frame to create an almost-instant chopper. Most lavish, but still cheap by comparison with many of the bikes built today, is a big twin chopper built from carefully chosen aftermarket parts. A RevTech engine and five-speed tranny set in a Rolling Thunder frame. Accessorize from the swap meet and add a simple one-color paint job to create a bike no one needs to be ashamed of.

5. GEOFF DUKE-THE STYLISH CHAMPION – WAS $59.95 NOW $29.95 The winner of six world titles on British and Italian machinery, Geoff Duke was the first post-war superstar.Geoff Duke: The Stylish Champion is a hardcover book running to over 250 pages documenting the riding life of the handsome Brit.Featuring many images of Duke in action, statistics of Duke’s results and lots more, this is the definitive guide to one of the most successful racers motorcycling has ever seen.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 64

MOTOVUDU, the essential guide to track riding in either dvd or book.

After 13 years of racing professionally and winning at the highest level, Simon Crafar, the former 500GP winner and World Superbike racer passes on the essential rules learnt throughout his career in these instructional books and DVDs.

The techniques in the book and DVD are designed to teach any rider how they can ride faster and stay away from unnecessary risks.

Containing detailed descriptions, illustrations and stunning photography the book and DVD show Simon's 'On Circuit' techniques in an easily understood manner with simple and logical techniques and covers such areas as body position, braking,

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CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

AT THIS time of year plenty of young riders find their two wheeled dream machine under the Chrissie tree, and there is a surprisingly large range of two wheeled kids bikes on the market.

If your child is just able to ride or you need a bike to suit young teens there is something new to suit your budget.

Here’s a sample of what the major manufacturers have to offer, and seeing this issue of Cycle Torque comes out a week or so before Christmas you might still be able to buy one of these bikes before the big day.

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Junior fun machines

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 69

YAMAHA1. TT-R50EThis is a bit of a step up from the famous PeeWee 50 for the reason kids can change gears on it. It has a centrifugal clutch but also a three speed gearbox, a perfect transition as a rider learning aid. Four stroke engine, drum brakes all round, and sporty styling. Better still it’s got electric start.

2. TT-R125Two versions of this model give the buyer plenty of options. Both the standard ‘E’ and the ‘LWE’ versions share the same 125cc four stroke air-cooled engine, while the LWE gets 19/16” wheel combination instead of the regular 17/14” wheels. LWE also gets uprated suspension and a disc front brake. Five speed gearbox and regular clutch. Choosing which one will come down to the height of your kids, and their ability too. Are they reliable? Ask anyone who’s had a PW50, even if they bought it 10th hand.

Yamaha’s comprehensive range of machines can be found at your local dealer or by going to www.yamaha-motor.com.au.

SUZUKI3. JR80What an awesome little bike. Cycle Torque’s Alex Pickett had one of these when he was a kid. He couldn’t come to grips with a 60cc motocrosser at the time so a JR80 was put under the Christmas Tree and he started to enjoy riding a bike rather than being scared of it. The JR’s 80cc two stroke engine is reliable to a fault, and it’s designed really for a rider progressing from their first bike. The five speed gearbox is shifted normally and with the use of a clutch. Kick start only.

4. DR-Z125Powered by a 125cc air-cooled donk the little DR-Z125 is suitable for riders up to say 16-17, depending on their ability of course. It’s even handy for mum and dad to potter around the paddock while the younger kids are tearing up dirt, although that’s not what the bike is primarily designed to do. A big wheel version is also available. Regular gearbox operation. No electric start.

Suzuki has more fun bikes on offer, so check them out at www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au

KAWASAKI5. KLX110This another bike Cycle Torque has had personal involvement with. Ours is still going strong and is on its third rider. The 110cc four-stroke engine is bullet proof and the centrifugal clutch and four speed manual gearbox is a good step up from a totally auto machine. Even though it’s a ‘110’ it’s designed for riders relatively new to riding. A big wheel version is also available. Kick and electric start.

6. KLX140Next on Kawasaki’s kids ladder – not counting the MX bikes – is the KLX140 which comes in both little and big wheel versions. Air-cooled four-stroke engine is a pearler and will see many years of abuse, sorry, riding, if cared for lovingly, and probably if it doesn’t get cared for lovingly.It’s a great bike for kids and young adults who already know how to ride. It has a good level of power to entertain but not intimidate. The disc brake and KX styling give the kids some track cred too.

See more Kawasaki fun bike models at www.kawasaki.com.au/motorcycles

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CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

Junior fun machines

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 71

HONDA7. CRF50FThe baby Honda minibike. Three speed ’box and auto clutch make it easy enough to ride, even if it’s in first gear for a week or so. Very popular starter bike for families that are Honda fans. If your child is say eight, you should seriously be looking at a bigger bike.

8. CRF150FMost, if not all, of the Honda fun bikes are based on the old XR models which had a very loyal following, and for very good reason. Go to a junior dirt track meeting a decade ago and there were mini XRs everywhere, and then the CRFs took over the Honda mantle.Ultra reliable, easy to ride/race and great looking too. Put one of these under the tree and your riding child will behave forever, or at least the rest of Xmas day.

Find out more at motorcycles.honda.com.au

ZUMA9. XB 80The XB 80 125 is in the pit bike mould, big enough to suit adults but also small enough for younger riders who are able to use a clutch. It’s got Showa suspension, needle roller bearing swing arm pivots, and a 125cc air-cooled four-stroke Lifan engine.The XB 80 is a solid bike and Zuma Motorcycles here in Australia has a good range of spares and backup.

10. T110 MinibikeSuited for riders 8-13 years. Good learner machine, with an easy to use semi-automatic transmission and no hassle electric start (with kick start back-up).Air-cooled four-stroke engine has proven reliability and it even has disc brakes at both ends. How cool is that?

Check them out at www.zuma.com.au

ATOMIK11. MotoX 50Powered by a Shineray Generation II 50cc four-stroke engine, which is air-cooled, has kick and electric start, and a four-speed semi-auto gearbox.Good for learner riders ready to take the next step up from a fully auto machine, and for families on a budget. It’s a trick looking little jigger and you can even get a race muffler for it for some extra backyard cred. Might upset the neighbours though.Yep, let the kids tear up Pop’s back lawn or take them to a dirt riding park, they’ll have loads of fun on this.

12. Reign Bigfoot 140Atomik oil-cooled four-stroke engine powers this beast. It’s got a four speed gearbox with clutch operation. It’s even got a chromoly frame.Upside down forks and a nitrogen charged gas shock with adjustable pre-load means it can handle a jump too.Disc brakes on either end, and race style graphics means you have one serious looking machine. Yes, you can get race mufflers for it as well.

Go to www.atomik.com.au for your nearest dealer. n

CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

THE ATV market is huge at the moment, and while the majority of quads sold in Australia are to farmers there is still a sizeable number of sports quads being sold. And there is the Side-by-Side market too, and plenty of manufacturers are building products for that particular side of the ATV scene. Here’s a small sample of what’s available.

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ATV ROUNDUP

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 73

POLARIS1. Ranger Crew DieselThe Ranger Crew Diesel carries six adults in total and is perfect for those who need diesel power. It features an isolation-mounted, fuel-efficient 24 HP Yanmar diesel engine. Diesel is widely used in farming, mining and rural communities so we can see this vehicle being popular in those industries. It has a 40 per cent longer range than comparable petrol models, and 90 per cent of the torque is produced at only 1600rpm.Other features include On-Demand True AWD and a one tonne towing capacity.

Of course Polaris has lots more in its range than just the Ranger Crew, so go to www.polaris.com/en-au.

YAMAHA2. Grizzly 700 4X4Powering the Grizzly 700 EPS is a fuel injected 686cc, four-stroke forward-inclined single cylinder and liquid-cooled engine. This features a ceramic composite coated, all-aluminium cylinder for extra durability, so if you are near the snow or a desert the Grizzly will still be as reliable as your cattledog. The Grizzly’s power steering system is speed sensitive, and to assist with braking, the engine features Yamaha’s Engine Brake Control, which helps to slow the ATV when descending steep downhills.Depending on the terrain you can go from 2WD to 4WD at the flick of a switch, and it has a diff lock option for the really tough stuff too.

Yamaha has other sports and farming quads in its range. Check out www.yamaha-motor.com.au for more info.

SUZUKI3. QuadSport Z400Built for fun without a hand grenade engine the QuadSport uses a fuel injected 400cc single cylinder four-stroke engine. It’s also liquid-cooled so hot days won’t bother it.Piggyback-reservoir shock absorbers front and rear contribute to make it a sure handler, on the racetrack or the paddock, and it’s adjustable on the front for pre-load and compression damping, while the rear is adjustable for pre-load and compression and rebound damping. Discs all round, and the alloy frame keeps the whole plot in check, jumps or not. Nifty racer styling makes it a looker too.

Go to www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au for more information on this and Suzuki’s ATV range.

Can-Am4. Outlander MAX XT-PCan-Am’s Outlander MAX XT-P is pretty much a luxury sport ATV. It can take two people, and although the MAX is designed for a plush ride it can also be punted hard if that’s what you want. It’s an aggressive looking machine, and with the 1000cc fuel injected V-twin engine it goes as hard as it looks. It’s not just about speed performance though, it can perform as a farm hand too. It can take a big load (you can remove the rear seat), can tow nearly 600 kilos, and the auto lock front differential allows it to go pretty much anywhere with a minimum of fuss.

See more of Can-Am’s off road range at www.brp.com/en-au.

CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

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ATV ROUNDUP

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 75

KAWASAKI5. Mule 610 4X4This is one of the no-frills Mule models from Kawasaki. They are a strong unit and strong sellers in the farming and industry markets. It’s powered by a 400cc air-cooled single cylinder four-stroke engine which is carburettored. Drive is via a two-speed, CVT transmission with reverse and selectable 4WD. Drum brakes all round, and the cargo bed can take over 180 kilos. Built to work hard.

More models can be seen at www.kawasaki.com.au.

CFMOTO6. Z6 Spec RThis is a very sporty Side-by-Side fun vehicle, with selectable 2WD/4WD, lots of ground clearance and adjustable independent suspensionDiscs all round, and a 23 litre fuel tank lets you go all day, and then some. Standard equipment includes a scratch resistant roof and windscreen combination and a spare wheel mounted to the rear of the roll cage. It has a 600cc liquid-cooled and fuel injected four stroke engine sporting nearly 40 horsepower, and weighs in at 450 kilos.CFMOTO is another brand making big inroads into the market, and the quality is high.

Go to www.cfmoto.com.au for more info.

HONDA7. TRX700XXBig bore 700cc single cylinder engine ensures the big TRX literally thumps the earth. It’s liquid-cooled and fuel injected so reliability isn’t an issue, and with Honda it wouldn’t be anyway. Five speed manual gearbox (and reverse) lets you play racer pretty easily, but it’s no MX quad, weighing around 230 kilos. Discs front and rear, and independent suspension front and rear too. Design has been around for a while.Can you imagine tearing up the dunes on this baby? We can.

Visit motorcycles.honda.com.au for more info on this machine and the rest of Honda’s ATV range.

PARKLANDS POWER PRODUCTS8. Parklander PQV-500ATVParklands is really moving forward with its ATV/UTV range, and the mid range 500 is a great budget but quality work style ATV.It’s simple enough, with a liquid-cooled and fuel-injected 471cc four-stroke single cylinder engine. As you would expect it has electric start but also has a pull start backup.Can tow up to 400 kilos, and can take a combined weight of 135 kilos on the front and rear racks. Discs all round.

Go to www.parklands.net for more information, as Parkland’s range also includes kids quads.

ATOMIK9. Krusher 300 4X4Uses a 300cc liquid-cooled Atomik four-stroke engine and has a 4WD switchable to 2WD feature. Drive to rear wheels is by CVT and shaft drive. Independent rear suspension too. Found standard on the Krusher 300 is a 1130 kilo electronic winch with steel braided cables on the front, and the ever-useful tow-ball on rear. It also sports front and rear carry racks; whether you need it to lug toolboxes or water sprayers. Has many of the features usually seen on a more expensive ATV.

Visit www.atomik.com.au for more information.

TGB10. Blade 550Imported by the Paul Feeney Group, TGB ATVs have an impressive dealer back up in Australia. The Blade 550 IRS 4X4 is pretty much the flagship of the TGB range. The standard larger diameter 14 inch alloy wheels with heavy duty 6 ply tyres plus front locking differential and fully independent front and rear suspension provides lots of bang for buck. Like most other workhorse ATVs it uses a four-stroke single cylinder engine, in this case a 500cc liquid-cooled version with a carburettor for fuel, and a CVT transmission. It weighs in at 330 kilos, can take a 125 kilo combined load on the front and rear racks and a fuel load of 18 litres lets you go all day.

Go to www.tgbatv.com.au for more info. n

CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

THE number of Personal Water Craft (PWC) manufacturers has dwindled over the years, and now it’s pretty much down to Kawasaki, Yamaha and Sea-Doo (BRP), at least in Australia.

There are some very powerful products available too, and in this modern age PWC usability has hit an all time high. Jump some waves, go fishing, tow a water skier or tow a tube. Today’s PWCs can do all that, and more.

Here’s a sample of what’s available from your dealers of the above brands.

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SEA-DOO1. Wake 155With features like a retractable ski pylon and wide-angle mirrors, the Wake 155 is a great entry-level watercraft for tow sports. It also features a new hull that is lighter, nimbler and more fuel-efficient than before.Takes three people and has five accelerations profiles so you can select one which suits what you’re doing.A removable rack comes standard and is an easy way to carry your knee board or wake board. A fold down boarding step makes getting on an easy jop too.The engine is a Rotax 4-Tec unit designed for marine use and uses a closed loop cooling system, so no corrosive salt water gets into the engine.

While it may be an entry level type PWC it has many high spec features like cruise control, off-throttle assisted steering, and an intelligent brake and reverse system.

2. GTX Limited iS 260Yes, this baby cranks, with its supercharged Rotax motor you will never be short on power. But the GTX does it on comfort, Sea-Doo calls it a Luxury Performance PWC. It has lots of both.Capable of taking three people, the GTX has all the things you expect on a Sea-Doo PWC, including the intelligent brake system, but it also has a suspension system for an extra smooth ride. It also comes with a depth finder, plush seat and numerous other extras to set it apart as the top dog in the Sea-Doo fleet.

For more information visit www.brp.com/en-au/homepage.

CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

WATER SPORTS

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KAWASAKI3. Ultra 300XKawasaki has an impressive line up of PWC, and the Ultra 300X is as ballsy as they get, period. With incredible boost from an Eaton Twin Vortices Supercharger, the big Kawasaki Ninja-inspired four-stroke marine engine pumps out 300 horsepower. Wow, if that doesn’t get you thinking you must be brain dead.It’s not all about HP though, the Ultra is pretty high tech. You can adjust hull attitude with the electric trim system, there’s an electronic throttle valve with electronic cruise control, fuel saving ECO mode and an all digital instrument panel.To effectively convert the 300 PS output into thrust, the Ultra 300X utilises a new, larger 160mm jet pump with eight guide vanes. According to Kawasaki the pump delivers superior “traction” in rough water conditions and significantly contributes to the Ultra 300X’s mind-boggling acceleration. And yes, the power is mind boggling.

4. STX-15FAt the less insane end of Kawasaki’s PWC range is the STX-15F which is powered by a 1500cc four-stroke engine. With ‘only’ 160 PS it goes very well too, and as expected is fuel injected.Other features include Smart Steering which is designed to assist inexperienced riders. It’s electronically linked to an on-board microprocessor and automatically adjusts engine speed and thrust while cornering.The LCD multifunction meter features a speedometer, tachometer, hour meter, clock, trip distance, trip time, fuel level, and oil level for easy monitoring of important information. Warning lights alert the operator to low oil, low fuel or high engine temperatures. Cool, in more ways than one.

See more at www.kawasaki.com.au.

YAMAHA5. SuperjetAn old school stand up ski, so whether it’s freestyle, closed-course riding or free riding, the SuperJet handles it no problems.Powered by Yamaha’s proven 2-stroke, 2-cylinder, 701cc engine. It goes like the dog shot up the proverbial...Yes it only takes one rider, so it’s a bit selfish. But who cares?

6. FZSFeaturing telescopic steering with three riding positions. The powerful 1812cc Super High Output, supercharged engine is perfectly matched to the lightweight, nimble NanoXcel hull, while the extended seat and tow hook allow three people to experience summer fun.Other features include the Quick Shift Trim System which allows the bow to be trimmed up or down to suit water conditions, a remote transmitter to make sure only authorised people can start your PWC, and the Reverse Traction Control System which makes manoeuvring near the trailer much easier.

See more Yamaha Waverunners at www.yamaha-motor.com.au.

CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

Cycle Torque’s onboard footage - which you’ll often find embedded in the App for iPad and on our Youtube channel - captures what it’s really like to ride our testbikes. With these cameras, you can capture your rides.

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1. GoPro Hero 3The GoPro Hero 3 series of cameras are now available.The new generation Hero camera. Wearable, mountable design captures wide-angle vision of your favourite activities. Professional quality HD video and 11 MP photos. Built-in Wi-Fi enables remote control via optional remote or live video preview and remote control on smart phones and tablets running the free GoPro App.Offers professional 1080p 30 fps/960p 48 fps /720p 60 fps and WVGA 240 fps video capture. Rugged housing is waterproof to 197ft/60m and captures sharp images above and below water.Compatible with all GoPro mounts for attaching to gear, helmets, body, vehicles, surfboard etc. Compatible with LCD Touch BacPac and second generation Battery BacPac. Backwards compatible with older generation BacPacs. Advanced camera settings include video looping, Protune, manual, white balance controls and more.Supports microSD cards up to 64GB, has USB port and a port for optional accessories such as 35mm stereo mic adaptor and composite A/V adaptor.The White model is the base model (similar to the old HD 1) and goes for $269. The Silver model is the next step up (similar to the old HD2) and retails for $379. The top of the range Black model has twice as many features, functions and performance and has a remote included in the box and retails for $489.

For more information check out www.lustyindustries.com

2. Replay XD 1080Featuring a water-resistant, hard anodised aluminium housing for extreme adventures is claimed to be the smallest and lightest full HD action camera on the market. Actual size is 93.7mm (3.6”) by 28mm (1.1”) and weighs 3oz. Simple two button on/off and start/stop make

it easy to operate. Can be mounted virtually anywhere and it comes with two mounts. Optional billet-aluminium pro mounts available for the most demanding action. Claimed to be the first to stream full 1080 HD through the built-in HDMI out connector - record and stream your video simultaneously or just stream your video straight to an external HD recorder. Custom designed wide angle 135º, f3.1 lens, and anti-glare coating, this lens is finely-tuned to match the 5MP CMOS sensor for better clarity, accurate colour, and minimal image distortion.Replay XD1080 also features a removable front lens bezel to accept the ProLens 37MM adapter lens and filter kit.Lots of modes: 1080P@30fps, 960P@30fps, 720P@60fps, 720@30fps, Photo@1, 5, 10 & 15 sec, Internal Audio, External Audio, Rec, Stop, Play, Skip Forward, Skip Reverse, Clip File, Live Video Out.This camera was the official onboard camera for the 2012 Australian Superbike Championships. Check the website for heaps of optional extras available. RRP $339

Distributed through Tomcat Distribution (02) 4305 2200www.replay-xd.com.au

3. Liquid Image gogglesLiquid Image All Sports Goggle - white 720p. POV Video Camera & Goggle Combination. Shoot 720p HD Video at 30 fps with Audio. Capture 5-Megapixel Still Images. Includes Dual Paned Snow Lens. Includes Single Paned Summer MX Lens. Integrated Micro SD/SDHC Card Slot. Supports Up to 32GB MicroSD/SDHC Cards. Rechargeable Battery Lasts 1.5 - 2.0 Hrs. Water-Resistant Down to 15’ ( 5m). Comes with a Summit MX Conversion Kit. RRP: $279. Also check the website for the new Torque Series camera RRP $369.

Check out www.activeoutthere.com.au for you nearest dealer.

CYCLE TORQUE SUMMER OF FUN FEATURE

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4. EGO CAMPerfect camera designed for extreme sports enthusiasts. A mini-sized mountable camera that records HD video and is Wi-Fi enabled. Slim profile will fit in the palm of your hand, measures 1.6” x 1.2” x 2.5” high, less likely to be knocked off by tree branches or flying debris. Capture 12.0 MP photos and Full HD 1080P videos hands free. Cutting edge image stabilization technology. Continuous photo mode takes pictures every 2-3 seconds. Also records HD 720P at 60 frames per second, 1080P at 30 frames per second for smooth video capture. Wi-Fi enabled to work with Smart Phones, Tablets and Computers - can control up to 5 units at the same time.No extra wireless module attachment needed for live wireless streaming, wi-fi range is 100 metres line of sight. The Ego will accept up to a 32GB micro SDHC card, to record thousands of still images or hours of video. The camera includes a rechargeable battery. Estimated battery performance is 1.5 – 2.0 hours of video. Includes a clear protective cover, universal flat surface mount, and 1 additional adhesive pad. Many different mounts available for attaching the Ego to many different surfaces making this camera useable in virtually any sport you participate in. Waterproof housing also available for wet conditions. RRP $199

Check out www.activeoutthere.com.au for your nearest dealer. Also check out the manufacturer at www.liquidimageco.com

5. Contour +2 HD Sports Camera with Bluetooth and GPSThe Contour+2 is the next evolution in action video taking the most coveted features from the ContourROAM and the original Contour+ and created a camera that is not only easier to use, but brings an

entirely new perspective to your adventures. Share beautiful, 1080p HD video with speed, distance, and elevation across the networks you use most. The Contour+2 features an Instant On-Record switch, even better video quality, and a 60-metre waterproof case for those underwater adventures. What’s included: Contour+2, Contour+2 Waterproof Case, Mini USB Cable, HDMI Out Cable, Microphone Adapter Cable, Profile Mount, Rotating Flat Surface Mount, 4GB Micro SD Card, Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery, Camera/Mount Tether. RRP $549

www.adventurecams.com.au

6. Drift HD720 helmet camera720P HD video @ 30 or 25 fps. Compact housing, 4.1” and 145g. Rotatable, replaceable lens. A playback LCD screen for lining up shots and the ability to play back the footage right away. Remote control. New goggle strap in addition to curved and flat adhesive mounts, paired with a universal clip for multiple mounting options. Standard ¼” 20 thread for use with most tripods. Features rotating lens so you can mount the camera at any angle and any position to get that shot you are looking for. It can take 5MP photos. Put it in the time lapse mode and you can take pictures every few seconds for as long as your memory card and battery lasts. You can pair the remote control to your camera or any number of additional cameras. A digital zoom function so you can get even closer to the action or your friend in front. Night mode so you can record in darker and duskier conditions. Optional waterproof case to take your Drift HD to depths of up to 30m. Optional external power pack accessory, taking recording time up to 20hours. RRP $229

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CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 84IBIKE STUFF

1REARSETSBIKESCONNECT is the sole importer of British made DBR products. Check out the CNC machined aerospace grade aluminium fully adjustable rearsets for the Hyosung GT250/R, GT650/R and the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR.Finished in either polished silver or anodized black, they come complete with a shift rod with both LH and RH thread rose joints and are available for most major sports bike models.PRICE: $449AVAILABLE FROM: Direct from Bikesconnect on 02 9191 2915MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 85IBIKE STUFF

2WASHED UP

BRIGGS & Stratton has unveiled a new petrol powered range of pressure washers to help take the hard work out of cleaning your motorbike. They come with a whole host of accessories. The company has also launched QUIET SENSE on two selected models, the QuietSense 2700 and Quietsense 2900, as part of the range that won’t deafen you and your neighbours. Normally, standard pressure washers create engine noise from the moment they are turned on, whether they are being used or not. However, with Briggs & Stratton’s new Quiet Sense technology, the pressure washer will idle when not in use.PRICE: $479-$999AVAILABLE FROM: Bunnings storesMORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

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3GLOVE UP

TRIUMPH’S Balhalm leather gloves are full leather, with double layers on palms and perforated ventilation panels.The are a great entry level glove with retro styling.Sizes to suit the smallest and the biggest hands out there.PRICE: $89.95AVAILABLE FROM: Triumph dealers nationwideMORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 87IBIKE STUFF

4EASY MOVE

WHEEL Jockey is a simple tool offering a solution for the cumbersome task of rotating motorcycle wheels for tyre and wheel cleaning, chain or belt maintenance, valve stem positioning, and tyre inspection. It’s small enough to be easily stowed under the seat or in any motorcycle luggage.Takes all sorts of bikes up to 290 kilograms.PRICE: $79.95AVAILABLE FROM: Leading motorcycle storesMORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 88IBIKE STUFF

1CROSSOVER

NOLAN’S unique N43T Trilogy helmet has a neat crossover design with quick-change accessories, allowing for customised looks and functions for every ride. Make the helmet a full-face, and then quickly change to an open-face by removing the Lexan chinbar. Comes with the clear shield, the integrated VPS sun shield, the peak and the removable chin bar.PRICE: Solid colours, $309, graphics $349AVAILABLE FROM: Good motorcycle storesMORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 89IBIKE STUFF

2LATEST AND GREATEST

GOT the latest Kawasaki KLR650? There are some minor changes to the design which has required Andy Strapz redesigning the existing Expedition Pannierz support frames. Constructed of mild steel tube and lavishly powder coated they are made locally by an experienced craftsman. Weight is a scant one kilogram each side, and like all of Andy’s stuff is designed by a rider who actually gets out there and tests his stuff.PRICE: $370AVAILABLE FROM: Direct from Andy Strapz on 03 9770 2207MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 90IBIKE STUFF

3KEEP HYDRATED

GEIGERRIG, the creators of the world’s first pressurised hydration pack has just developed a new motorcycle specific product called the Shuttle. Designed for both dirt and road riders, the Shuttle is ideal for motorcyclists looking to keep hydrated on trips big and small. The dual bladder system (one air and one water), which allows the water to be pressurised, means you’ll never have to suck again.Easy to use, easy to clean, easy to own.PRICE: $217.95AVAILABLE FROM: Direct from Rocky Creek Designs, 02 6687 1388 or at all good bike shops.MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 91IBIKE STUFF

4MV PROTECTION

GBRACING has moved quickly to produce crash protectors for the MV Agusta F3 and Brutale 675. The FIM-approved covers offer bolt-on protection against engine damage and associated consequences such as race and track day DNFs, roadside breakdowns, costly repair bills, and insurance claims. We have crash tested the GBRacing covers on other models and can attest to their durability.PRICE: $239 for both clutch and alternator covers.AVAILABLE FROM: Direct from Trackpro on (02) 9011 6130.MORE INFO: www.cycletorque.com.au/more

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 92USED & REVIEWEDDARREN SMART - TESTING TIMES 2

Jersey and Pants JT THOR FLY

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THE motocross apparel industry is as competitive now as it has ever been but still the main players continue to sell more than their share of gear each year. If you think about what your jersey and pants go through each season it is important to buy the brand that fits to your liking, has the protection you need and has the durability to endure the mud, sweat, crashes and the thrashing of the washing machine.JT, Thor and Fly are three of the main players in the motocross world so I decided to hit the track with all three sets of their jersey and pants to see how each perform while in action and if you have ever gone to the track and tested three sets of riding gear I am here to tell you that the riding is the easy part because trying to change your gear while dripping with sweat with the photographer standing there tapping his toes is not as easy as it sounds.

JT Racing Classick MX pants: I have actually had

and used the JT gear more than the Fly or Thor so I have a pretty clear idea on my thoughts here. The pants I quite like, I can actually feel the higher back support/protection/jersey retention strips while the fit around my arse, down the legs and through the padded knee area is great in both the sitting and standing positions.

There are large air intakes on the outside of the thigh area which I can tell you, as we here in Queensland go through a heat wave, work an absolute treat while the ‘Cinch-Strap’ waist closure and adjustment system gives a nice firm fit around the waist.

JT Racing Pro Tour jersey: All I ask of a jersey to stay tucked in, not strangle me, be comfortable and allow the air to flow through to my sweating body without hindrance and JT has all of the above dialled in. Everything is vented, the collar doesn’t come up to my throat, there is a drop tail cut with silicon print to keep it tucked into the pants and there is ‘some’ padding on the shoulders and elbows so the JT jersey ticks all of the boxes for me.

Thor Core Motocross pants: So after taking the JT gear off I put on a brand new set of Thor Core gear

and I could straight away feel some of the subtle differences. There was a firmer fit around my arse and crotch area, not restrictive in any way but definitely more like a normal set of pants while the venting seemed more than adequate.

The fit down the leg and padded knee area had no restrictions while in the standing sitting position, and the ratchet style waist adjustment keeps the fit around the tummy nice and firm.

Thor Core Motocross jersey: The Thor Core jersey features generous ventilation and like the JT jersey was as comfortable a jersey as any I have used and it stayed in position throughout my ride. I liked the way this jersey fitted around my waist and gave me plenty of room around the neck without being

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too loose. Thor, like Fly, offer no padding on their jerseys.

Fly Racing Kinetic Motocross pants: From the Thor to the Fly pants I was pleasantly surprised to have an immediate liking for their design. Ventilation seemed to be working fine (it was getting really hot by now) and the feel from top to bottom worked well as I dived from corner to jump to corner lap after lap.

There is a ratchet latch to hold the pants up with an adjustable waist band for a snug fit while even in the heat the lining stopped the pants from sticking to me as I motored around.

Fly Racing Kinetic Mesh jersey 2012: The FLY jersey has all of the features that the JT And Thor jerseys have so I was more than happy with the overall feel. Plenty of ventilation panels were a blessing and I really like the shorty cuff design and the tagless collar.

In Summary: All of the pants I tested had the inside knee panels for heat protection and there is plenty of room inside for the people who wear knee braces.

I don’t think that there is any one feature or feel that would make me buy one of these brands over the other. I would be

happy to do a full season on any of them and from what I have read each company has worked hard on making sure they are as durable as possible. Likewise with the jerseys, they all fitted well and had good ventilation, which is all you can ask.

Looks wise, it is a close race there as well so I guess I will leave the final decision to you.

– Darren Smart

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Smarty is ready to rock on his new long termer.Finally... we are ready to ride!

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 94CYCLE TORQUE LONG TERM TEST - 2013 KTM 450 SX-F

IS IT here yet? Is it here yet? Is it here yet? Is it here yet? Like a little kid I waited for the arrival of the 2013 KTM 450SX-F long term test bike with so much enthusiasm I just about drove the KTM guys crazy. But thankfully this orange work of art is sitting snug in my garage downstairs ready for a season of racing and testing.

The Ryan Dungey/Roger DeCoster inspired 450SX-F is by all accounts as close to the machine that won the 2012 AMA National Motocross Championship that could be put into production and for the foreseeable future I have one to play with so life right now couldn’t be much better for the ol’ Smarty.

So, what are we hoping to achieve while I have the ‘Kato’ 450 as a long term tester? Well, for starters we can see what it is like to own as far as maintenance goes as well as a series of hot tips set-up and tuning wise and while I am at it I will be able to use the 450 to test some other items I have in the shed, like the Fly, Thor and JT riding gear, the Motoz, Pirelli, Metzeler and Bridgestone tyres, the Liquid Image goggles, Ariete, ZAC Speed and Dragon goggles and finally the ZAC Speed V.2 Chest Protector/Hydration system.

Before we get started let’s take a look at what KTM did to put this orange beast right into the mix as a legitimate contender in the 450 class. The bike is essentially all new: below I’ve listed the highlights of the new machine in comparison to the bike it replaces.

Cylinder Head: The new cylinder head features newly developed ports, combustion chamber and valve train. The lightweight titanium valves and the new, extremely lightweight design of the rocker arms (intake rocker arm is sliding on a DLC coated contact directly on the new

cam shaft) allow for the rpm limit of 11,500rpm.

New to the 2013 head are stiffer rocker arm axles with integrated oil jet for lubricating the intake cam, titanium intake and exhaust valves, ultra-light valve springs and retainers, weight optimised camshaft with optimised timing, new ports and combustion chamber.

EFI: 44mm Keihin EMS with a new throttle body for higher airflow. Together with an improved injector and a new injector position (spraying upwards) the new EMS contributes a lot to the massive power increase. A new throttle position sensor (TPS) is more resistant against water and is protected by a plastic guard. The wiring harness is further improved with longer lead wire, and critical connectors are now protected via rubber caps. The small in-line screen is now positioned in the quick-change fuel line connector for easier access. The idle adjuster is now isolated from the cold start button and located in the back of the throttle body.

Airbox: Newly designed airbox and cover provides more

space for the Twin Air filter. New intake snorkels allow for better airflow and higher performance. The exchange of the air filter is possible without any tools in just a few seconds. The airbox cover features standard clips to be fixed, optionally it can be secured by an additional screw.

Exhaust system: New header pipes and silencer with tapered inner tube.

Radiators and cooling system: New WP radiators are the base for the proven cooling system which is transferring the cooling liquid from the cylinder through the frame triangle.

Engine cases: The 2013 engine cases are die cast instead of sand cast with high-strength alloy material resulting in a compact design shaving 2.5kg from the weight and increasing the ground clearance.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 95Piston and cylinder: New 95 x 63.4 mm bore and stroke with a mechanical tensioner, weight optimised König piston with a stiff ‘box-in-box’ design and a new compression and oil control ring provides a 12.6:1 compression ratio.

Crankshaft: New lightweight Pankl crankshaft and connecting rod features a pressure lubricated plain bearing (no more needle bearing), which allows a high rpm limiter and doubles the maintenance intervals.

Counter balance shaft: A laterally mounted counter-balancer reduces vibration while driving the water pump and allowing a compact and lightweight engine design.

Starter: A reliable and lightweight electric starter (no kick starter available).

Alternator: New 65 Watt alternator secures the energy needed to run the electronic fuel injection and charge the battery for the electric start.

DDS Clutch: The DDS (Damped Diaphragm Steel) one-piece clutch basket combined with the primary gear is made of high-strength steel. It guarantees unbeatable reliability and contributes to the narrow engine size due to its compact rivet-less design. Additionally, it allows the use of thin steel linings, which makes the whole clutch package compact.

A diaphragm spring makes it possible to implement an additional rubber damping system, guaranteeing reliability for the transmission and good traction. The hydraulic clutch by Brembo in conjunction with the diaphragm spring guarantees a very light operation and good controllable modulation of the clutch.

Swingarm: The new swingarm is reinforced and now allows the mounting of a larger rear axle (from 20 to 25mm) to work together with the new frame concept for improved riding stability. The linkage now has lighter nuts, bolts, washer and bearing cups.

Rear Shock: The settings for the shock have been completely updated with firmer valving.

Front Forks: 48 mm WP closed cartridge upside-down forks have completely reworked settings and harder springs. A newly developed fork oil provides reduced friction and improved durability for more constant damping characteristics during its entire life cycle.

Frame: Modern and lightweight frame design made of chromoly steel with additional reinforcement in the steering head area while the cradle tubes around the engine is made of thinner profiles. Newly designed head stays (connection between cylinder head and frame).

Bodywork: Completely reworked to further improve the bike ergonomics and indicate that model year 2013 means a new generation with a new front fender with new mounting system, front start number plate, modern radiator shrouds and airbox covers design produced in two-component process (orange/black plastic in one mould).

Fuel Tank: The 7.5 litre fuel tank has been reworked for 2013 to match the shape of the new rad scoops for improved ergonomics. In addition they feature a new inner screw-type fuel cap with new routing of fuel pump, hoses and micro screen (fuel filter) located in-line in the quick release.

Triple Clamps: CNC machined triple clamps improve the bike´s stability and provide improved fork clamping, supporting the fork action due to reduced friction and better bending characteristics. In addition the lower clamp features a weight reduction of 80g due to the reworked design. The front fender is attached by two

screws on the bottom and two in the front.

Wheels: High strength EXCEL rims, CNC machined hubs and new spokes coated in black.

Handlebars: 827 Renthal Fatbar handlebars featuring the equivalent bend of the 996 Twin-Wall. New 2-compound grips with KTM logo provide excellent contact to the bike.

Brakes: The rear caliper carrier is adapted to the larger rear axle.

Graphics: A completely new graphic design in conjunction with the new bodywork.

Holy bat poo, that is a lot of info to take in and test but thankfully we have some time to get our head around it. Stay tuned for a series of articles about the 2013 KTM 450 SX-F…. and the rest of the stuff in my garage.

– Darren Smart

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 96LETTERSTORQUING IBACK

More in painTHE December issue of Cycle Torque is a very comprehensive issue and an enjoyable read, with several interesting ride impressions on newly released models.However, I write in relation to your test/ride impression of the Ducati Panigale S, and the editor’s comments. In doing so, I have to agree thoroughly with the feedback by Stephen, and I believe that your tester/editor has over generalised the comments/report on this incredible machine, and not acknowledged the Ducati design parameters in relation to the Panigale.While a small number of manufacturers produce a general purpose, large capacity motorcycle, the days of the “Universal Japanese Motorcycle” and the European GT style road motorcycle are gone. From the mid 1980s, manufacturers have produced a broader range of more specialised motorcycles. The manufacturers’ success from this is indicated by the market sales results in each segment.I agree with Stephen - manufacturers are to be congratulated for producing a broad range of motorcycles that more specifically meet consumers interests and needs.I believe the editor has not been fair to Ducati in the comments about its Panigale’s suspension. My view is Ducati has produced a spectacular machine, one which exceeds the design parameters.In short, if you didn’t like the suspension, maybe it is because the editor actually was “a bit jaded with motorcycles”, but most probably because he did not understand the Panigale design brief and the broad range of choices that manufacturers offer to consumers.I suggest that if the editor was to purchase a new motorcycle, he would have a vast array of choices and options, enabling him to meet his specific interests and needs. There is no justification for the narrow criticism of the Panigale.Otherwise, I enjoy the magazine and wish you safe riding, and a peaceful holiday season.

- Phillip FosterLetters such as this one have prompted Editor

Pickett to have another look at the Panigale S, an article which will be published in the February

2013 issue.

Love the AppI LOVE the new Cycle Torque iPad app. Getting the latest news ASAP, links to video or more detail that doesn’t come in the paper version is awesome, but as iPad memory is limited I don’t keep all available editions stored but reload them if I want to go back. It would be great if you could make a separate index that lists every article and review, and that would allow the reader to go back to the issue a specific article is in.I also recently bought a Kwaka Versys 1000 and love it. I’ve never been so blown away by a bike so perfect for blasting through the real world.

It’s my super commuter, mountain carver, weekend flyer, long distance mile muncher, stunt bike...

- DarrenWe’ve been asked for the iPad edition index from

a few people, we’re working on it…

Take a tabletGREAT news that Cycle Torque is available for the iPad, but real bikers prefer an Android tablet.I realise that Apple started this tablet idea with the iPad, but it is estimated that Android tablets because of the mass of suppliers and lower cost will overtake Apple iOS tablets within two years.Suggest you start now on an Android version of Cycle Torque for screen sizes 7-10”.

- Trevor HudsonYou can read Cycle Torque’s PDF eMag on an Android

tablet - check out www.cycletorque.com.au/downloads.

Entrapment 1REGARDING your Editorial about Entrapment. I reside in Queensland and I have found the police here are using similar methods.Several acquaintances of mine have been booked for double line errors on the basis of video evidence. Now, none of these guys are blind, and clearly know that they never knowingly passed a marked police vehicle, but can remember being waved on by a motorist, or provoked into choosing to pass by the erratic speed and lane positioning of the vehicle.And, what makes this worse is that some of these ‘baiting’ vehicles are motorcycles.If being observant, you can notice very small cameras on the side of the fairing, and/or on the helmet of the rider.Also, the use of work utes as rolling video units has been common for some time, especially around the Mt Mee and Mt Glorious areas.These types of measures breed nothing less than serious distrust of the police, and other motorists (who may be just driving badly).Open and obvious presence on the road does so much more for road behaviour management than anything else.Sorry to burst your bubble Chris, but the cops just don’t seem to be as ethical as you were in your day...

- Craig

Entrapment 2I WAS interested to read the article about possible entrapment on the Old Pacific Highway. A similar thing happened to me between Mooney Mooney and Mount White back around 2001.I was in a Honda S2000 (car) coming down past Brooklyn when I was tailgated by a plain blue Commodore. I thought the driver wanted a good run up the bends, so I pulled over at the Mooney Mooney servo to let him past. The Commodore

pulled in as well and I saw a short radio antenna sticking out the boot lid.As I pulled out, the driver tried to follow but had to give way to another car and was now two cars behind me. I travelled up towards Mount White at the posted speed limit with the Commodore backing off and then accelerating hard to catch up. Another vehicle behind him started to take the bait.At Road Warriors, I stopped for a coffee and a chat with some riders, the car behind followed me in and went straight out whilst the Commodore accelerated past with the victim going hard too. The victim was then pulled over and booked - as seen by riders coming down from Peats Ridge.I can quite believe that your reader has been trapped - the Old Pacific is probably a good revenue raiser for the police.

- SJW

Moto ParentsI HAVE just read your story on Mark and Caleb Grothues, MotoParents. I would like to share my story about my parents. My sister and I are both single parents and our parents are funding our children in their dreams of being MX racers. Dad and mum buy the bikes, pay for maintenance and repairs, licences, everything. On race days or practice days dad transports kids and bikes, hands over the money and tells the kids to have a good time. As with Mark and Caleb there is no fancy set up, just a ute and trailer, shade cover and a couple of chairs and of course tool box. Mum does all the soaking and washing of race clothes, protective gear, boots and of course the bikes. I often think about what would happen if mum and dad weren’t able to fund the kids’ passion as it really isn’t a sport two single Mums can fund. Too often I have seen kids being yelled at, abused and slapped around the head by their parents for not winning each time they come off the track and it just makes me love my Dad more for being the way he is. Thanks Dad and Mum for loving your grand kids, even if they might send you bankrupt.

- Jackie Aitken

WRITE A LETTER! WIN A GREAT PRIZEThis month Jackie Aitken has won a Cargol Turn & Go puncture repair kit. Available from better bike shops everywhere and there’s a video of one being used on the Cycle Torque website.Send your letters (and/or great bike pictures) to The Editor, Cycle Torque, PO Box 687 Warners Bay, NSW 2282 or email chris@cycletorque.com.au.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 97Tour Cambodia With

Cycle Torque is taking a small group of readers on a magical tour through beautiful Cambodia, an incredible country in South East Asia.You’ll experience wonderful food, ageless culture, great riding and visit incredible places, including the world-famous Angkor Wat Temples.Come for a week or choose the extended tour riding electric-start trail bikes or a Yamaha WR-F. Cycle Torque’s readers who come along will receive a custom-printed book about the trip, and you can also be a part of our video feature we’re making on the tour too.The riding is a mixture of bitumen, gravel and dirt roads - easy riding for any competent road, trail or adventure rider. There’s also a support truck for luggage, great accommodation, local guides and lots more.

Be a part of the story and video of Cycle Torque’s tour of Cambodia!

• 5 Days of riding (extended tour also available)

• Easy bitumen, dirt and gravel roads – no difficult trails

• Phnom Penh to Siem Reap• Includes the Angkor Wat temples

• Awesome riding, spectacular scenery• Professional photography and video available

• Electric start bikes• February 4-10 in Cambodia

• $2120 includes bike hire, fuel, accommodation, back-up vehicle,

guides, some meals.

More info www.cycletorque.com.au/cambodia

Bookings and flight info:

Renee 03 5975 6333

Terms and conditions apply. Prices are based on twin share.

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 98

CAMERON Donald (Manta Enterprises Suzuki XR69) has taken out the 2012 Australian Historic Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park held over November 16-18, securing his first-ever national road racing title.

The two-time IoM TT winner successfully reacquainted himself with the 1981 Manta Suzuki XR69 replica to blitz both Forgotten Era Championship races. His winning bike had been re-built after a massive crash at the 2012 Island Classic in the hands of Josh Brookes, who was deputising for the injured Donald who was forced out after sustaining a broken jaw in a dirtbike crash in the lead-up to the event. Brookes’s crash at the Doohan Corner was caused when the muffler bracket broke and became entangled in the rear wheel.

The Harris-built chassis was only slightly bent in the crash, the swingarm more seriously so, but the 1260cc Suzuki looked a million dollars in its all-new Texaco Suzuki livery of the late ’70s.

It was Donald’s first trip to the former Eastern Creek Raceway since 2003, and topped off his weekend with a new lap record of 1m37.56, eclipsing by 0.09 seconds Shawn Giles’ previous record set at the 2012 Barry Sheene Festival of Speed.

It was a solid result for the Manta team that has its eyes firmly set on the International Island Classic at Phillip Island, 25-27 January, 2013. The only hiccup was a warped disc rotor that necessitated a front-end swap with the squad’s back-up Suzuki Katana.

“I’m happy with how the bike went and obviously with winning the championship,” a delighted Donald said. “These bikes provide a lot of direct feedback compared to modern bikes, but we only get to ride them once or twice a year so you don’t have as much time as you’d like to set them up. Still, it has enormous grunt, sits on the road nicely and I have a lot of confidence in it. The team did a great job

getting it back together after the crash at Phillip Island.”

Donald was followed home by Queensland’s Leo Cash, who despite his best efforts, could only watch on from his 1982 Team Hasbeens Suzuki Katana as Donald took early control of each race to claim two decisive victories.

“We had a few issues with the jetting, and I think we went too far going up on the main jet and it would load up off the corners,” Cash said after his first race on Sunday. “We did all we could to get it on on-song, but Cam proved what a world class rider he is.”

Donald’s path to the championship was somewhat smoothed by the non-appearance of Robbie Phillis and his formidable QBE Suzuki Katana. ‘Mr Post-Classic’, who had entered the event, was reportedly stuck at customs in Port Melbourne where he was

Cam Donald riding away from the pack.

Cam Donald Donald & Cash

CYCLE TORQUE FEATUREAUSTRALIAN CLASSIC TITLES

Cam Donald wins Australian Historic Championship

waiting for the clearance of a recently purchased motorhome.

Robbie’s old sparring partner Laurie Fyfe (Suzuki 1100) claimed a third and a second to secure third overall in the Forgotten Era standings.

Levi Day (Ron Angel Class Racing Honda 500) rode superbly to claim the Classic 500cc Championship with a pair of wins ahead of team-mate and fellow crow-eater Jack Wright (Manx Norton). Cam Donald rode his underpowered Manx Norton to two third placings, with Keith Campbell (Murrumong Vineyard Honda) finishing fourth overall. Day (Honda 350) backed up his winning form to secure the Classic 350cc Championship from Phil Paton (Bultaco 265) and Keith Campbell (Honda CB77).

A jubilant Drmsby Middleton (Steve Battison Laverda SFC 917) claimed his first ever national title after clean-sweeping both Post Classic Unlimited races. “I can’t thank my crew enough for their support; this championship was a really a team effort,” said Middleton. “We had a few gearbox issues, a few false neutrals, but we managed to hold it together and claim those two wins. I couldn’t be happier.”

Glen Kelleher (Yamaha TZ350) won the Forgotten Era 350cc Championship after a 2-1 finish from Adam Senior (Yamaha TZ350) with Terry Morris’s Nico Bakker-framed 350 third. Stephen Ward (Armstrong 250) dominated the Forgotten Era 250cc Championship from former Tasmanian proddie gun of the early 1980s Mick Damon (Shearwater MC Yamaha TZ250), with Derek Brown (NGS Performance Yamaha TZ250) third overall.

Riding a raucous, wailing and snarling Kawasaki H1500, Sam Muldoon captured the Post Classic 500cc Championship with a win and a second from Bob Marriner (Old Gold Motorcycles Honda CB500) and Martin Pearson third on the T-Rex Suzuki GT380. Glenn Hindle ran away with the second race on his perennially quick Maxton 350.

New Era Unlimited: L to R, Brett Clark 3rd, Murray Clark 1st and Geoff Taylor 2nd.

Murray Clark and Taylor.

Levi Day

Buy me: ring Billy on 0418 652 878

Leo Cash

Post Classic 250cc Championship: 1. Lindsay McKay, Yamaha TD3 – 50; 2. Dave Keehan, Yamaha TD2 – 42; 3. Michael Hockley, Yamaha TD3 – 38.

New Era 250cc Championship: 1. Jason Dunn, Honda RS125 – 50; 2. Alan Johnston, Yamaha TZ250 – 42; 3. Paul Borg, Honda RS125 – 42 (eq).

Classic 250cc Championship: 1. Phillip Paton, Bultaco 250 – 50; 2. Graham Roberts, Velocette 250 – 44; 3. Craig Keenan, Bultaco 250 – 40.

Post Classic 350cc Championship: 1. Russell Fairbairn, Yamaha TR3 – 47; 2. Adam Senior, Yamaha TR3 – 38; 3. Keith Campbell, Honda CB72 – 36.

Forgotten Era Formula 750 Championship: 1. Dave Mason, Ducati 750 – 47; 2. Mitchell Mulligan, Ducati 500 – 45; 3. Bob Garner, Ducati 750 – 42.

New Era 788-1300cc Unlimited Championship: 1. Murray Clark, Suzuki GSX-R1100 – 50; 2. Nigel Taylor, Yamaha FZR1000 – 44; 3. Brett Clark, Yamaha 0W01 – 40.

Classic Unlimited Championship: 1. Jack Wright, Matchless 638 – 50; 2. Joe Ahern, Norton 750 – 44; 3. David Woolsey, Triton 808 – 40.

Forgotten Era Sidecar Championship: 1. Doug Chivas/Matt McKinnon Peterbuilt 750 – 50; 2. Peter Selke/Lionel Cornwel, Suzuki 1000 – 44; 3. Eddie Poucher/Bronson Poucher, Windle

Suzuki – 40. n

CYCLE TORQUE JANUARY 2013 - 100

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