Australian Motorcycle News Vol 68 Issue 18

THE FIRST TIME I laid eyes on Toby Price, I was in the middle of the bush, photographing a round of the 2009 Australian Off Road Championships for AMCN’s sister magazine, ADB. It was a sprint-style format, with riders setting off individually over a tight bush loop. I shot the first few riders coming through, moving as I went, but then froze as I heard a bike sounding all kinds of messed up. Someone was on the limiter, on a 450, through handlebar-wide tree gaps. Who was this nutcase? It was Toby, running corner speeds I’d never seen before in the bush and absolutely committed. He was clearly a motocrosser convert; the riding style was all aggression, as was the throttle control – he seemed to have zip tied that twist…

THERE HAS BEEN much anticipation since AMCN first revealed details last year of the new middleweight parallel-twin adventurer-tourers from Yamaha and KTM. Now pricing and Australian availability have been released and all indications are that this market segment is going to get the biggest shake-up it’s seen in a decade. Both new models are out there to prove that the sub-800cc class can offer as much as any large-capacity adventurer-tourer. BMW is leading the way with its revamped F 750-F 850 GS parallel twins. Larger fuel capacity, better rider weather protection and ergonomics have brought the “baby GS” closer to the level of refinement and comfort of the R 1250 GS. Pricing begins at $13,590 (plus on-road costs) for the F 750 GS and $17,990 for the F 850 GS. BMW announced last December…

AMERICA'S BIG TWO (geddit?) manufacturers have taken two very different approaches to marketing a new model. While its competitors crow about their touchscreens and sat-navs, Harley-Davidson is making a point that its latest cruiser has none of that into a selling point. It’s the stripped-back Electra Glide Standard, complete with a stripped-back price. Meanwhile, Indian has brought out a new premium model, the Roadmaster Elite. It goes on sale at $52,995, a $10k premium over the standard Roadmaster. H-D’s new model is based on the same chassis and Milwaukee-Eight engine as the rest of the Electra Glide line-up but costs $34,495, compared to the Ultra Limited’s $40,995. There’s no pillion seat or top box, and the batwing fairing has a lower screen. And of course there’s the tech shortfall; where Harley’s marketeers make…

Super Soco AMCN RECENTLY ATTENDED the Australian launch of the Super Soco TS1200R. An excellent alternative to a year’s worth of train tickets, it has a top speed of 50km/h, a range of 80km, weighs just 74kg and looks exactly like a new motorcycle should in 2019. The best bit? It’s $4990 rideaway price. There’s a full review coming. Harley’s not kidding HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS acquired StaCyc, Inc., a producer of electric-powered two-wheelers specifically designed for children aged from three years. The acquisition of StaCyc expands Harley-Davidson’s electric portfolio and reinforces its commitment to lead in the electrification of motorcycling. StaCyc entered the market in 2016 and its products are already sold in some H-D dealerships in the US. H-D has also released more details on its LiveWire motorcycle. Range is 225km city, 142km…

Just 10 lousy bucks gets you a lap of Sydney Motorsport Park during the parade lap before the International Festival of Speed’s racing begins on Sunday 17 March. Only 80 riders will be accepted.Visit www.internationalfestivalofspeed.com for more information. “We’ve been working on Euro 5 solutions for bike firms since 2013” Forgive the pun but we have an exhaustive and informative feature on this significant issue starting on page 48 WHATTAGUY! Two-time AMA 450 Supercross Champion Chad Reed recently scored his 132nd top-three finish at the Detroit Supercross aboard his JGRMX/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing RM-Z450. Halfway through yet another gruelling US season our Chad sits eighth in the series. “I’ll take the small wins from the weekend,” said the ever humble champ. “My top priority is to continue improving, so I can have a shot…

With so many correct responses to our regular Mental Twisties quizzes, we thought it was time to up the stakes. But the tolerances were a little too close, it seems, with no one getting every question right. Kevin Beale of Victoria’s Balwyn North came bloody close… WHO Warren Willing (1) leads Kenny Blake (4) WHAT A self portrait with his mouth open WHEN 2017 Valencia GP WHY Protesting Melbourne’s first toll road for motorcycles WHERE Oran Park Raceway Sydney Answers for Vol 68 No 17…