Australian Motorcycle News Vol 68 Issue 19

I’VE BEEN TAKEN to task (page 21) by a reader concerning my comments in last issue’s Access regarding cycling. It’s the same issue we’ve always had: cyclists know their road rules and exercise their right to ride two abreast uphill at 15km/h in a 90km/h zone, while the rest of us go nuts behind them – because 15km/h is really slow. Cyclists have the law on their side, but common decency would indicate that rather than expect everyone else to fit in with you, you’d make some sort of effort to allow motorised traffic to get past effectively, without risk to either road user. It’s often possible. I understand wanting to maintain lane position on a pushie to keep yourself from being squashed – if I’m not on a motorcycle, I…

TIGHTENING EMISSIONS regulations in Europe in 2020 and 2021 mean the Superbike category is about to be redefined over the coming months by a wave of new models. Our investigations have revealed Yamaha’s long-running YZF-R1 will be at the forefront of the changes, using its MotoGP development program to unleash a totally new Superbike. Expect to see a reverse-rotating crankshaft and seamless-shift transmission, along with some form of variable valve timing and lift technology. Virtually unchanged since its introduction in 2015, the current generation of YZF-R1 is in its fifth year of production, making it the oldest bike on the WorldSBK grid and putting it right on schedule for a much-needed revamp. And the new Euro 5 emissions rules, combined with the much-improved technology of its rivals, means it has to produce…

Booze bike Indian’s long-running association with the famous Tennessee whiskey distiller has resulted in the Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Springfield Dark Horse. A jumbo-sized, 1890cc, Thunder Stroke V-twin engine powers the bagger-styled cruiser, which features a woodgrain finish on some components. Tri-cycle Yamaha’s Niken leaning three-wheeler has been announced as the official support bike for the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and La Vuelta. The three-year deal will raise the Niken’s profile worldwide, including Australia, as these cycling grand tours are widely televised. Naughty naked Aprilia’s 2019 Tuono V4 1100RR and Factory are on their way to Australia. This naked 130kW (175hp) sportsbike is claimed to have the most advanced semi-active electronic suspension system currently available on the market. Technology also includes cornering ABS, quick shift active (even in downshifting), pit speed limiter and…

IN PERHAPS THE most bizarre incident in motorcycling racing, an entire grid has been destroyed in a pit paddock inferno. All 18 machines developed for this year’s inaugural MotoE World Cup were lost while in overnight storage at Jerez, Spain, on 14 March. Organisers claim the championship, which promotes electric motorcycles as a new form of racing, will continue, but some big questions are being asked. HAMISH COOPER & BEN PURVIS 1 Did the motorcycles start the fire? Organisers say the fire broke out in the main charging unit and spread to the motorcycles, which it says weren’t connected to this unit at the time. 2 Why did the building burn so intensely that it destroyed the entire building? The lithium batteries used to power electric motorcycles, cars and even the large domestic storage units…

ZERO'S 2020 SR/F redefines electric propulsion. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful electric model in Zero’s 12-year history, its peak performance exceeds Ducati’s benchmark V4 Panigale. A new ‘Z-Force 75-10’ air-cooled AC motor is fitted to a new steel trellis frame and allied to Zero’s largest, 14.4kWh battery pack. Claimed peak power, for short periods, is pegged at 82kW at 5000rpm to prevent overheating, while torque is 190Nm, some 35 percent more than the Ducati Panigale V4’s maximum. On any motorcycle you rarely use maximum power for more than a few seconds at a time in real-world use. As with most electric bikes, top speed is relatively low – Zero claims 200km/h under full power and brings the maximum down to 177km/h for extended running, to make sure nothing…

Honda on the radar NEW PATENT applications published in Japan show that Honda is working on front-mounted sensors for motorcycles that could be part of a radar-assisted cruise control or auto-braking system to help prevent accidents. This would likely activate an adaptive cruise control, accelerating or braking to keep a constant distance from a vehicle ahead, or even emergency braking when an obstacle appears. BP R means race? INDIAN'S RECENT new application for a stylised ‘R’ trademark appears to hint at a future sportsbike range. The trademark application, notably filed in sportsbike-oriented Europe rather than cruiser-mad America, is simply the letter ‘R’ in a distinctive, modern font. Indian has already filed trademark applications for the names ‘Renegade’ and ‘Raven’, which are expected to be used on sporting derivatives of the 89.5kW, 1203cc, flat-track-inspired…