Australian Motorcycle News Vol 68 Issue 06

Graham hasn’t forgiven Triumph for dropping the Trophy from its range THERE ARE TIMES when I forget how long this magazine has been around. And then I take a phone call from one of the many great characters who have spent decades making the fortnightly pilgrimage to their local newsagency to enjoy the latest efforts from the dedicated team at Gassit HQ. Graham Harris had called to enquire about his Gassit Pack after he donated a jacket to the AMCN Winter Jacket Drive but, as often happens, we were soon talking all things motorcycling. He told me about his membership to FarRiders, which requires a ride of 1000km or more to be completed in a 24-hour period. Tough, but not impossible. It turns out Graham does this on a regular basis. He recently…

BMW IS ABOUT to unveil the smallest, lightest and most powerful superbike yet. More than a year ago we spotted the next-generation S 1000 RR on test in Germany. Now we give you a clear look at the bike in its finished form ahead of its launch, courtesy of design patents that have escaped from the factory. While there have been three distinct generations of the S 1000 RR already, the evolution has been subtle. For 2019, though, everything is new – engine, chassis, wheels, brakes and styling. And it’s tiny. The idea of a 1000cc bike that’s as small and light as a 600 has been around for ages – the original Honda Fireblade took steps in that direction in 1992, and the first-generation Yamaha YZF-R1 made another huge leap towards the…

YAMAHA’S HEAVILY REVISED Tracer 900 has hit showroom floors, but the big news is that the new GT version comes standard in a premium specification and with a keen sticker price. The standard version costs $15,499 plus on-road costs, while the GT sets you back $16,999. Yamaha has stuck to the prices it announced long before the value of the Australian dollar started falling. Powered by an 847cc three-cylinder engine, and with a kerb weight of 214kg (227kg for the GT), the past three years have seen the Tracer 900 carve out a strong foothold in the growing sub-1000cc sports-touring class. Latest upgrades to the two-model range include improved wind protection, a new swingarm/rear shock combo, and redesigned seat. All this is aimed at improved touring comfort and handling. Standard features on both include…

THE NEW BMW superbike’s frame is unusual. Instead of using the straightest possible beams to connect the headstock to the swingarm pivot, there’s a clear zig-zag in the frame rails as they go up from the swingarm pivot. They level off over the gearbox and then sweep upwards again following the angle of the cylinders to meet up with the steering stem. It also features an unconventional linkage for the rear shock, with upper shock mount on a pivoting arm. Presumably a second link attaches from the swingarm to the other end of the pivoting arm, so the shock is pushed from both above and below as the rear is compressed.…

SUZUKI IS BUILDING on the popularity of its V-Strom adventure touring lineup, releasing its highly anticipated V-Strom 250 ABS into the market with a competitive ride-away price of $7190. The baby ’Strom is powered by a 248cc parallel-twin tuned for low-to-mid range torque. Styling is based on the larger V-Strom models but with a lower 800mm seat height. Kerb weight is a practical 188kg. ABS is standard and there are mounting clips to accommodate the optional Suzuki accessory side cases. The large aluminium rear rack has an 8.5kg capacity and can accept Suzuki’s accessory top case. Aimed at riders buying their first motorcycles, those returning to two wheels, or perhaps seeking a more manageable package with lighter weight, you can be on the road (or off it) for just a touch over $7k This includes…

THERE’S NO DOUBT this sensor-festooned machine is the testbed for the next-generation KTM 1090 Adventure. In fact, under that work-in-progress fairing, the bike’s mechanical bits appear to be much the same as those of the existing model. While there have been suggestions of a capacity hike to 1150cc and a corresponding power increase, the fact that this test bike uses the stock 1090 exhaust system indicates it’s still using an unchanged, 1050cc engine as used on the current version. Similarly, the frame and suspension appear to be unaltered, and even the tail bodywork hasn’t changed. The front bodywork, however, is completely new. But rather than the nose, with its Cyberman-style eyes and ‘mouth’, the big news is the lower fairing. The bellypan section is surprisingly bulky, suggesting it might hide a new, low-mounted…