Australian Road Rider Issue #14

This edition of Australian Road Rider’s Bike Guide is done and dusted, heading off to the printer… when my email inbox pings me. There are new Ducatis and a Jack Daniels Indian Challenger Dark Horse. It really doesn’t matter when we produce the Guide anymore, there are new bikes being announced all the time, so there’s no way we were ever going to get from closing production to print without ‘missing’ something. But that’s OK: we have roadrider.com.au to fill in the gaps, so type that into your browser or scan the QR code below and you’ll be taken to our latest news. The limited edition Challenger Dark Horse, with only 107 being produced, is likely to be something of a standout for those who get one, while the Ducati Scrambler Urban Moto……

APRILIA A new adventure/dirt bike, the Tuareg 660, shows Aprilia is looking to where the market is going. “Pure off-road performance, sports technology, four Riding Modes, two of which are customisable (one dedicated to off-road riding). ABS can be deactivated at both wheels or only the rear. APRC system complete with Traction Control, Cruise Control, Engine Map and Engine Brake. All accessible via the high-visibility 5” TFT screen.” Sound good to us, although it’s leaning more toward the Yamaha Tenere 700 than a Suzuki V-Strom. BMW Continuing to expand the R 18 mega cruiser range is a focus for BMW in 2022, with two new models doubling the range to four bikes powered by the biggest Boxer Twin the company has ever produced. It’s Baggers now, the Transcontinental and R 18B. The new machines both feature…

APRILIA RSV4 1100 FROM $31,300 RIDE AWAY An exceptional sportsbike designed to win races. Incredibly powerful and well specified with a full suite of modern electronics, aerodynamic design including MotoGP-inspired winglets, six riding modes, cruise control and a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster. RSV4 Factory also available, $38,350 Ride Away. SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 1077cc longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooling system, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder Power & Torque: 214hp (159.6kW) @13200rpm / 122Nm (90ft-lbs) @11000rpm Seat Height: 851mm Weight: 199kg (Wet) VERDICT: PREMIUM SPORTS APRILIA TUONO V4 FROM $28,030 RIDE AWAY Almost all the performance of the RSV4 in a machine more suited to road riding. Still very sporty and it’s grown a little bodywork in recent times after formerly being a naked, the Tuono is still a raw, fast, light, talented mile-muncher. Good electronics, decent…

BENELLI TNT 135 FROM $4390 RIDE AWAY In the style of Honda’s Grom, the Benelli TNT135 offers lots of fun and easy riding with some trick components at a low price. SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 135cc single cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled 4 valves, single overhead camshaft (SOHC), double spark. Power & Torque: 13hp (9.5kW) @9000rpm / 10.8Nm (8ft-lbs) @7000rpm Seat Height: 780mm Weight: 121kg (Wet) VERDICT: COMPACT FUN LAMS APPROVED BENELLI 752S FROM $12,990 RIDE AWAY A modern naked with a trick trellis frame, USD forks, single rear shock. 17 inch wheels and fate tyres, ABS and a colour display. An inexpensive mid range bike which is easy to live with. SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 754cc in line 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, 4 valves for cylinder double overhead camshaft Power & Torque: 75hp (56kW) @8500rpm / 67Nm (49.4ft-lbs) @6500rpm Seat Height: 810mm Weight: 220kg (Dry) VERDICT: MID…

BENELLI LEONCINO ABS FROM $9390 RIDE AWAY An easy to ride and inexpensive to SPECIFICATIONS Engine:499cc in line 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, 4 valves for cylinder double overhead camshaft. Power & Torque: 47hp (35kW) @8500rpm / 45Nm (33.2ft-lbs) @5000rpm Weight: 170kg (Wet) Seat Height: 785mm VERDICT: LAMS RETRO ROADSTER LAMS APPROVED BENELLI LEONCINO TRAIL ABS FROM $9890 RIDE AWAY Take the Leoncino and add laced wheels and multi purpose tyres, tweak some of the settings and we have a machine that’s a little bit roadster, and little bit scrambler. SPECIFICATIONS Engine:499cc in line 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, 4 valves for cylinder double overhead camshaft. Power & Torque: 47hp (35kW) @8500rpm / 45Nm (33.2ft-lbs) @5000rpm Weight: 170kg (Dry) Seat Height: 825mm VERDICT: MORE SCRAMBLER THAN TRAIL LAMS APPROVED BMW R NINET PURE FROM $21,100 RIDE AWAY A classic roadster with a compact tank and slim design…

BMW F 900 R FROM $16,654 RIDE AWAY Is it a naked, is it a sports tourer? Both, really. Versatile and fin. New colours added: Bluestone Metallic with Style Exclusive and Light White/Racing Blue metallic/Racing Red with Style Sport SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 895cc water-cooled 4-stroke in-line two-cylinder engine, four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication. Power & Torque: 98hp (73kW) @8500rpm / 88Nm (64.9ft-lbs) @6750rpm Weight: 211kg (Wet) Seat Height: 815mm VERDICT: CAPABLE MIDDLEWEIGHT BMW F 900 XR FROM $19,899 RIDE AWAY BMW’s super versatile middleweight loosely based on the parallel twin adventure bikes, offering a comfortable riding position, great suspension performance, sprightly performance and good value. New colours for 2022. SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 895cc Water-cooled 4-stroke in-line two-cylinder engine, four valves per cylinder, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication. Power & Torque: 98hp (73kW) @8500rpm / 88Nm (64.9ft-lbs) @6750rpm Weight: 219kg…