Australian Motorcycle News Vol 68 Issue 10

HOW MANY MOTOGP stars would approach a journalist in an airport lounge to say g’day? Mike Jones does, and I reckon Jack Miller might also. But I’m yet to find myself in the same airport as the Ducati rider. It makes his ‘Mad Mike’ nickname something of a misnomer It’s no coincidence that both of these riders are Aussies. As a nation, we have a much less intense upbringing; sport is meant to be fun as a kid, and we (mostly) take that mindset into our adult life, even when that sport makes us famous. Miller’s rise through the MotoGP ranks has also been an enjoyable journey for the AMCN crew, he’s been a friend of the mag since his junior days. At the Australian GP he once again gave as much…

THIS IS THE model that could become Triumph’s bestseller. Its inspiration comes from Triumph’s California desert racers of the mid-1960s, a time when the Meriden factory reached its sales peak. The Hinckley Triumph factory’s all-new 2019 Scrambler 1200 is a serious off-roader. To prove the point Triumph has even entered one in this month’s Baja 1000 desert race to show its potential. For 2019 there are two Scrambler 1200 models, the base XC and a higher-spec XE. Both are powered by a new version of the 1200cc parallel twin, tuned for 66.2kW at 7400rpm and 110Nm at 3950rpm, to slide between the less powerful Bonneville T120 and the sportier Thruxton in the firm’s line-up. The engine bolts into the usual tubular-steel frame, but with a new aluminium swingarm and some surprisingly serious…

The differences One model, two versions THERE ARE DIFFERENCES in suspension spec. The XE gets a 47mm fork with 250mm of travel, compared to the XC’s 45mm/200mm. The XE has a 32mm longer aluminium swingarm, again helping increase the suspension travel. Both versions have side-laced wire spoked wheels, a 21-incher at the front and a 17-inch rear, with 90/90-21 and 150/70-17 tyres. Both models have multiple riding modes but the XE gets a sixth ‘off-road-pro’ mode that disables the ABS and traction control. The XE also has cornering ABS and cornering traction control. Both get a new TFT instrument pack, keyless ignition and cruise control. While both bikes share the same styling, the XE has hand guards, heated grips and gold-coloured forks. It also gets two-tone paintwork. Dozens of accessories include two inspiration kits that pre-package…

SPECTACULAR. THAT’S the word to describe Ducati’s range-topping new Panigale V4 R, just unveiled ahead of the official opening of this week’s Milan EICMA expo. As well as winglets, which add as much as 30kg of downforce at 270km/h, the model that carries Ducati’s hopes in WorldSBK and ASBK next year completely changes the game in terms of power-to-weight ratio when kitted out in full race spec. Despite losing 105cc compared to the normal 1103cc Panigale V4 thanks to a shorter stroke, the new 998cc V4R is more powerful than ever, making 162kW (221hp) in road-going form. Add the optional, track-only Akrapovic exhaust and the full list of racing accessories and that figure rises to a whopping 175kW (234hp). The trick to the extra power is revs. The V4R redlines at 16,500rpm, and…

WITH 1000 EXHIBITORS from 156 countries, the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy, is one of the world’s most important. The show, which started in 1904, showcases new motorcycles from every corner of the industry: cruisers, adventure bikes, sport bikes, luxury tourers, dual-sports, motocross and enduro machines. Custom bike builders also show off their latest creations. EICMA 2018 runs this week, ending on 11 November. AMCN dug out some pre-show nuggets and our next issue will have a full analysis of all of the show’s highlights.…

BMW WILL UNVEIL six new models – with the all-new S1000RR leading the way. A leaked image of the new bike, seen here, confirms that design patents we revealed months ago were accurate representations of the new machine, which features a completely new engine and chassis underneath the redesigned styling. Key specs, also leaked, confirm that the bike has gained the same ‘ShiftCam’ variable valve timing and lift system that debuted on the R1250GS and R1250RT earlier this year. That helps the S1000RR to a peak power of 157kW at 13,500rpm, and 113Nm at 11,000rpm. All that comes in a package weighing only 197kg fully-fuelled and ready to ride. Other new BMWs at EICMA will include the ShiftCam-equipped, 1254cc R1250R and R1250RS, plus the new R1250GS Adventure and F850GS Adventure. The sixth model…