Ultimate Adventure Bike Issue 5

YAMAHA AUSTRALIA A record number of WR250Rs turned out for the third annual one-model rally held around the Hunter Valley region (NSW) early in the year. Sixty-two WR250R owners converged on the town of Cessnock for the two-day WR250R Rally adventure ride, gathering together at Chris Watson Motorcycles for a pre-ride BBQ and briefing for folks that came from as far away as Alice Springs. Two attendees even travelled from the USA to hire bikes from RideADV organisers. The diverse bunch ranged in age from 19-year-old Lochie Caldwell to 84-year-old Brian Rooney. Trails varied from wet and muddy to dry and dusty, and from beautiful lush-green forests with red-clay surfaces to dry and rocky ride areas around Yengo, Watagan, Corrabare, Werakata, Heaton, Sugarloaf, Pokolbin and Wollombi Forests. “This was another awesome event for…

We’ve met two of the 790 family but there’s now a third on its way in the KTM 790 Adventure R Rally. Let’s take a look at the seven points that separate the Rally from the rest of the line-up. At the time of writing, there was no word on pricing and availability in Australia. POSITIONING: KTM 790 Adventure: The most offroad capable travel bike KTM 790 Adventure R: The most travel capable offroad bike KTM 790 Adventure R Rally: The most travel capable rally bike 1 The R Rally is in blue and white with a unique graphic design together with carbon fibre tank protectors to finish off the package. 2 The R and R Rally use a shorter design (tinted and clear finishes, respectively) to allow for less restriction when riding offroad standing up,…

“Quite simply, we’ve built the KTM 790 Adventure R Rally because we can! At KTM we continually try to push ourselves and the development of our products — this is the Ready to Race way. We have the equipment at our disposal and we know how to make a truly special bike for our hardcore customers. With its Pro Components range, WP offers suspension close to the same level used by the Dakar-winning Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Rally team on the KTM 450 Rally. The new KTM 790 Adventure R Rally is exactly as it says: A rally bike ready for any adventure.”…

EXPLORER PACK The Explorer Pack offers an enhanced long-distance road riding experience together with high versatility offroad. Rugged lockable aluminium side cases give 72 litres of secure carrying capacity for self-suffi ciency in remote locations, while the centre stand allows for stable parking and facilitates routing maintenance. The Explorer pack also includes a 33 per cent thicker skid plate that covers a larger area than the standard item, and the tubular engine guards help to protect cases and body panels from accidental damage. There’s also a mono seat rack that gives added carrying capacity. Aluminium Side Cases: 37L capacity per side, combined capacity of 74L Side Case Keys Centre Stand: allows stable parking, with strong and durable tubular construction Skid Plate: 33 per cent thicker and covers a larger area than standard skid plate Mono Seat…

Not long before we went to print we fitted a set of Flexx ‘bars to our Super Ténéré. Not everyone will be familiar with Flexx but the unique system is worth a look. Essentially the name says a great deal – the bars allow more flex than tradition sets but in a directed and very deliberate manner. Using a system of pivots and elastomers to not only allow movement but to also fine tune the degree, Flexx bars offer what amounts to another suspension point and do well to fight fatigue. The bar bends are also quite unique and in the case of the Ténéré it is superior to the stock bend and I found a decrease in shoulder ache on long rides. I also prefer much the bend for riding…

The Airoh Commander Adventure helmet is particularly suited for an all-terrain, all-round riding experience. It can be used in two different configurations — with peak and visor for all-road use, or with visor and no peak on naked bikes or for on-road use. All of the latest Airoh technologies come together in this model that ensures comfort and total protection, even in the most demanding situations. The shell is made of high-performance composite (HPC) fibres and is available in two different shell sizes. An extra-wide visor with an integrated Pinlock lens, a three-point ventilation system, an aerodynamic peak, a retractable sun visor and the opportunity to connect Bluetooth systems are only some of the extraordinary features of the Commander. Matt Black S–XXL Carbon Red Gloss S–XXL Carbon Yellow S–XXL Carbon Orange S–XXL…