Australian Motorcycle News Vol 68 Issue 17

I’VE GOT AN admission – we had the cover line “Bautista untouchable on WSBK debut” sitting there from last Wednesday. Why? Part wishful thinking, because we want the ‘JR Show’ to be challenged to spice it up; partly because we want WSBK to gain strength because, well, it’s awesome having two highly competitive world-class road-racing championships; and partly because we had the inside word that the Spaniard was going great on his new toy. We didn’t, of course, know for sure – but I am personally glad we got to keep that cover line. I’m not going to go any further with that, though. Bautista loves Phillip Island and Jonathan Rea hasn’t dominated WSBK for zero reason over the last four years, so it ain’t over yet. In the back of…

What else? We’re told the instrument panel will be a larger screen with a full-colour TFT display. Honda has already tweaked the Africa Twin’s dash once, revising it for the 2018 model year, but it’s a fast-moving area of development in motorcycling. Also expect keyless ignition. Minor makeover Don’t expect an all-new Africa Twin. Our information suggests it will be based on the current model and chassis, including side-mounted radiators to keep the wheelbase short. Our CG image – created by Japanese magazine AutoBy – shows a revised nose and headlights, along with tweaks to the plastic parts. There’s talk that the DCT (dual-clutch transmission) – a key selling point that the Africa Twin’s rivals can’t lay claim to – is to be improved. Also expect the fuel capacity will be increased from…

SUZUKI’S MOTO3 RACE bike project is taking shape. We’ve been keeping a keen eye on developments since exclusively revealing the first details in AMCN last month. Latest patent documents filed by Suzuki show the same single-cylinder engine and distinctive, curling exhaust we’ve already reported on fitted to a rather intriguing frame. It’s a part-trellis chassis instead of the beam frame pictured earlier. In particular, the patent refers to the alloy rear section of the frame, housing the shock and swingarm. This combines cast aluminium parts welded to pressed alloy components to provide the ideal combination of light weight and high rigidity. It also means that the design can be altered by modifying either the cast or pressed elements. Up front, there’s a tubular trellis frame, as currently favoured by the likes of KTM, which also…

Commando legend dies Bob Trigg, universally recognised as the father of Norton’s iconic Commando model, has died, aged 81 years. As well as being a vital part of the original 1960s design team, he was responsible for the styling and technical developments that helped the Commando model survive until 1975. Trigg went on to lead product planning at Yamaha Europe for more than 25 years. One of his last products before retiring in 2008 was Yamaha’s Super Ténéré. BMW’s Kiwi caper The next BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy will tackle rugged parts of New Zealand in early 2020. Australia, but strangely not the host country, are confirmed among 19 teams from around the world. The Kiwi 2020 event is the seventh edition of this tough teams challenge. Way Beta! Iconic trials company Beta has started…

A worldwide subculture of aftermarket companies are using existing mainstream models to create niche motorcycles THINK IT’S A glamorous life being a factory tester? Then ask this guy, whose job is to rack up thousands of kilometres in a bleak English winter, testing the fit and finish of what we believe is the new Triumph Thruxton R Black. At least the sun is shining this day. AMCN prides itself on its ability to capture the spy photos of factory prototypes and our intrepid photographers also aren’t afraid to defy the elements around the world waiting to snap the next big thing from a manufacturer, either. Huge resources are poured into even the simplest prototype; designing, testing and then convincing management that a business plan can support the original idea. Few companies are as…

There’s more to it than a simple coat of gloss black for the tank and body panels. Engine cases, cylinders and head are all finished in satin black, as are the Showa Big Piston front fork, wheel rims and hubs. Even the circular Triumph badge on the side of the engine, normally highlighted in gold or silver, is black. Gold highlights make a classy contrast on the Ohlins rear suspension and Showa front fork legs. Triumph knows the components will last the distance, but will the new finishes? The best way to test that is a few months on the UK’s winter roads, which are often covered with salt to combat the frost.…