Table of contents for Issue 342 in Motorcycle Trader

“You’re never riding at your best if you’re not enjoying it.” The words of wisdom from MT’s Cam Donald are so simple yet so true. “But you can’t just tell yourself to have fun – you’ve got to go out and do it. Nothing replaces time in the saddle. “It’s about getting some flow back – positive momentum – and that’s the best way to put a smile back on your face.” You might recall Cam’s motorcycling pearls on this page two editions ago (MT #340), and how I mentioned a dark cloud over my own riding, triggered by a string of silly, minor incidents. Well, my loss is your gain in this edition: How to keep calm and stay positive on the bike according to an Isle of Man…

Triumph Tiger 800 XCA $21,300 800cc inline triple; 70kW (94hp) at 9500rpm; 79Nm at 8050rpm; tank 19L; 208kg (dry); wheels 21-inch (f), 17-inch (r) KTM 790 Adventure R Due June, price TBC 799cc inline twin; 70kW (90hp) at 8000rpm; 88Nm at 6600rpm; tank 20L; 189g (dry); wheels 21-inch (f), 18-inch (r) Honda Africa Twin ABS $17,499 998cc inline twin; 70kW (94hp) at 7500rpm; 98Nm at 6000rpm; tank 18.8L; 230kg (wet); wheels 21-inch (f), 18-inch (r) Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT $16,990 rideaway 1037cc V-twin; 74kW (100hp) at 8000rpm; 103Nm at 4000rpm; tank 20L; 233kg (wet); wheels 19-inch, (f) 17-inch (r)…

There are times when you can’t help wondering whether we’ve lost the plot with motorcycles. Really. Do we need a 200hp-plus rocketship in a day and age where urban speed limits are commonly 40km/h or even lower? Okay, don’t get me wrong. I love a ludicrous ride as much as the next person and own a comprehensively hotted-up Hayabusa to prove it. But sometimes it’s refreshing to walk things back a little and ride the opposite end of the spectrum: singles. There was a time when race singles were all-conquering – think back to the era of AJS 7R and Manx Norton, namely the 1940s and ’50s. However, when the likes of Bonnevilles and then Honda’s CB750-Four started to dominate the landscape, the golden era of the road-going single was…

SPANNER: It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it, you defending the Commando and me taking the stand for the R60/6? ROOTHY: How so? SPANNER: Well, you were born in Germany, weren’t you? Have you got a German passport? ROOTHY: I was born in the back of an ambulance on RAF Base Wegburg, which doesn’t exist anymore. Never tried for a passport, but I’ve never wanted anything other than Aussie citizenship anyway. Jeez, who’d want to be anything else these days? SPANNER: The world is now officially upside-down. Harley-Davidsons will soon be cheaper in Europe than they are in the US. After Brexit, Triumph will have to pay import duties to sell on the Continent and BMW will have to pay import duties to sell in the UK. The friendly days of…

I’m not jealous of Charris. No, really. Talentless hipsters should have a good quality of life along with the rest of us. Okay, I might be just a bit jealous. I looked at the cover of MT #340 and beheld the two new Royal Enfield 650s. Charris’ launch story made me want one immediately and I’m sure lots of mechanics around Australia and New Zealand had the same thought: at last – sensible motorcycles. In 2019 we’ve passed the cusp of ultimate performance. If you want to enjoy a bike now, it needs to be somewhere close to the speed limit or it needs to be on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. You’ve already worked this out in that sales of superbikes aren’t all that flash, but…

Modern motorcycles are uniformly excellent, but their style and design typically reflect certain conformity. As a result, most motorcycles of a particular type look remarkably similar, be it adventure bikes, supersports, naked or touring. With development costs so high, manufacturers nowadays are reluctant to take huge marketing risks, but 30 years ago it was quite different. During the 1980s, there was experimentation with 16-inch wheels, anti-dive brakes, turbochargers, unusual engine layouts and bold styling. BMW was always a conservative manufacturer, but it chose an unusual path with the four-cylinder K100 in 1983. During the experimental era, BMW also decided the time was ripe for a shaft-drive high-performance superbike: the K1. It wanted the K1 to stand out from the crowd, and when it was unveiled at the Cologne Show in…

BMW’s updated R 1250 range has arrived featuring the company’s new 1254cc boxer engine with variable valve timing and more power and torque, but the entry price has risen by as much as $4200, or 18 per cent, in the case of the R 1250 RS Sport and R 1250 R HP. Other updated models rise by an average of almost $1400, or around five per cent. A few models are cheaper, however, including entry-level versions of the R 1250 R (down $1250 to $21,240) and the R 1250 RS (down $950 to $22,540). Meanwhile, the evergreen GS, now from $23,490, is up by as much as $1850 in the case of the more off-road focussed R 1250 GS Rallye X. The flat-twin engine, now with “ShiftCam Technology”, gets a…

F 750 GS $13,590 Two riding modes, ABS and traction control, heated grips and cruise control as standard F 750 GS Low Susp. $13,840 As above F 750 GS Tour $17,305 Adds hand protection, ‘Comfort & Touring’ pack and ‘Dynamic and Lights’ pack as standard F 750 GS Tour Low Susp. $17,005 As above F 850 GS $17,990 Two riding modes, ABS and traction control, heated grips and cruise control as standard F 850 GS Tour $21,805 Adds hand protection, ‘Comfort & Touring’ pack and ‘Dynamic and Lights’ pack as standard F 850 GS Rallye $18,390 Essentially a colour variant of the entry-level 850 plus hand protection F 850 GS Rallye X $22,305 Adds electronic suspension adjustment, HP exhaust, navigation preparation, tyre-pressure monitoring, off-road tyres, hand protection…

BMW F 850 GS/ F 750 GS ENGINE TYPE: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve, parallel-twin CAPACITY: 853cc BORE & STROKE: 84mm x 77mm FUEL SYSTEM: EFI PERFORMANCE POWER: 70kW (95hp) at 8250rpm/57kW (77hp) at 7500rpm TORQUE: 92Nm at 6250rpm/83Nm at 6000rpm TRANSMISSION TYPE: Six-speed constant mesh CLUTCH: Wet, multi-plate FINAL DRIVE: Chain CHASSIS & RUNNING GEAR FRAME: Monocoque steel frame, engine as a stressed member FRONT SUSPENSION: 43mm upside-down fork/(41mm conventional fork), non-adjustable, 230mm travel/151mm travel REAR SUSPENSION: Monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound, ESA optional, 215mm travel/177mm travel FRONT BRAKES: Dual 300mm discs with twin-piston calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE: 265mm disc with single-piston caliper WHEELS & TYRES WHEELS: 21-inch (f), 17-inch (r), wire-spoke tubeless rims/19-inch (f), 17-inch (r), cast alloys TYRES: 90/90-21 (f), 150/70-17(r)/110/80-19 (f), 150/70-17 (r) DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES WET…

No longer a pie-in-the-sky concept, you’re looking at the jaw-dropping production version of the Svartpilen 701, and it’s hitting our streets in July. The Svartpilen 701 is quite a unique animal from its little brother and mechanically identical Vitpilen cousin, with modern flat-track influences to give the Indian FTR1200 and Ducati Scrambler a thorough run for their money. It’s powered by the same 55kW (75hp) 693cc single, but Husqvarna has added a few more features such as ride-by-wire throttle, switchable ABS and a quickshifter. Throw in an assertive, upright riding position, fully adjustable WP suspension and cast alloys on Pirelli MT60 flat-track tyres (18 and 17 inches, front and rear respectively), and you’ve got one fun and stylish urban assault vehicle.…

SR500 The story of the original ‘big’ SR is one of those situations that has motorcycle marketers scratching their heads. In Australia at least, it went down like the proverbial lead balloon, selling in relatively tiny numbers across series one in 1978-79. Years later, long after they had been taken off the market, the damn things were in huge demand and became the focus of a surprisingly strong club. Go figure. When you think back to 1978, all the trends pointed towards bigger and more powerful machinery. This was the era when Honda launched its CBX1000 six (1978) and Kawasaki its liquid-cooled six-pot Z1300 behemoth (1979). Yamaha’s star was the mighty XS1100. This was years before ‘retro’ became a fashion and the local market wasn’t buying it In the midst…

BEGINNER’S LUCK I recently rode my Honda CB400SF (named Rhi) from Hobart to the Ross motorcycle rally. It was a first time for both of us but overdue given I’ve been riding for around two years. About 20km into the trip south I hit a patch of roadworks, an ongoing thing in the Tasmanian Midlands. It was very gravelly and the CB is loose at the best of times but got noticeably worse approaching the St Peters Pass. I pulled over at the rest stop to use the loo and returned to the bike to see my first ever flat – an arrow-head piece of blue metal was stuck in the rear tyre. I didn’t have a tyre repair kit, which is a rookie error in this part of the…

DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1000DS ENGINE: TYPE: Air-cooled, two-valves-per-cylinder, 90-degree V-twin CAPACITY: 992cc BORE & STROKE: 94 x 71mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 10.5:1 FUEL SYSTEM: Marelli fuel injection PERFORMANCE: POWER: 63kW (84.5hp) at 7750rpm TORQUE: 87.5Nm at 5750rpm TRANSMISSION: TYPE: Six-speed, constant-mesh FINAL DRIVE: Chain CHASSIS & RUNNING GEAR: FRAME TYPE: Steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION: Conventional telescopic fork, 140mm travel REAR SUSPENSION: Preload-adjustable twin shocks, 89.5mm travel FRONT BRAKE: 320mm discs with four-piston calipers REAR BRAKE: 245mm disc with twin-piston caliper DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES: DRY WEIGHT: 187kg SEAT HEIGHT: 820mm WHEELBASE: 1462mm FUEL CAPACITY: 20L WHEELS & TYRES: FRONT: Five-spoke alloy 120/70-17 REAR: Five-spoke alloy 190/50-17 OTHER STUFF: PRICE WHEN NEW: $18,500 (plus on-road costs)…

HARLEY-DAVIDSON – MULTIPLE MODELS 2016-18 PROBLEM: An internal leak can develop in the hydraulic clutch system, which can result in the clutch not disengaging. ACTION: H-D keeps such good records it will be able to notify affected owners, but if you think your bike might be involved, contact your H-D dealer. SPANNER SAYS: I understand why H-D is concerned about this. It would be possible to start the bike in gear with the clutch lever pulled in but have the bike move forward once it fires up. Thinking you’re pulling up at the lights while the bike wants to continue on its merry way could also be problematic. Gossip about this fault has been around for months so the recall is timely. YAMAHA SR400 PROBLEM: An engine hose may have…

The aerodynamic forerunner of the K1 was Ernst Henne’s world speed record-breaking 500 Kompressor of 1937. This led to a number of streamlined record-breaking motorcycles and sidecars during the 1950s. Following the release of the K100 in 1983, stylist Karl-Heinz Abe created a sports machine called ‘Racer’, for the Time Motion exhibition of 1984. This 1:2 scale model inspired the creation of the prototype K1, and its presentation to the management on 22 June 1986 when the project was given the go-ahead. Titled the K1 in the manner of BMW’s performance cars (M1, M3, M5, Z1 etc.), it was also intended to emulate the classic R90S that had provided unsurpassed performance in its day. The kneepads were specially designed to absorb shock and, in a crash, launch the rider upwards…

Several versions of the SR500 and its SR400 sibling have been produced over the years. This Series I was made for the 1978-79 model years and was the only SR500 sold through Yamaha Australia. The cast seven-spoke wheels with a disc brake at each end is the easy visual giveaway. A slow seller, it took a few years to clear the local stock. Over time, they have been hugely popular as a project bike platform, with a locally built supercharged version being one of the wilder and more intriguing efforts.…

There’s dignity in accepting responsibility for your actions Generally, I’m pleased when I open my post office box and it’s empty. No news, as they say, is good news. Unfortunately, it hardly ever happens. A letter I received a few days ago generated a bit more concern than usual. It didn’t start off with “Hi Grant” or “Dear Groffster” – it started off with ‘Notice of Intention to Sue’. It was from an insurance company and it went on to tell me that one of its clients had made a claim and, as I was responsible for the crash, the company intended to take me to court. Yours sincerely etc. This is what happened. I was riding home on my old Suzuki GS1000G from a game of tennis and came…

Why force decisions when a good fart could see you changing pants? My UNEMCC mates know me well. “Which bike are you taking on the Tassie run, Roothy?” Yeah, and the answer would depend on the time of day. Or month. Nobody pushed it, they all understood. That decision depended on a mind as sharp as a used condom. Because when it comes to making up said mind, I don’t, preferring to let life blow with the randomness of a sock at an aerodrome. Amazing how often those same winds blow in a pub-like direction, but there you have it. Why plan when fate might step in? Why force decisions when a good fart could see you changing pants? The obvious pick was the new addition to the shed: the…

It was luck rather than good management that I retreated without an additional swag of tools and a new dog It’s a job I’ve been dreading, mostly because time is in short supply at the moment and I know this one will take hours and patience. What I’m rabbiting on about is a front-end freshen-up for the Kawasaki ZRX1200R, aka the third-gen Eddie Lawson-inspired naked bike. Though I know we replaced the fork seals a little over a year ago, one of them is weeping. Meanwhile, during a recent tyre change at Pablo’s in sunny east Melbourne, ringmaster Rick alerted me to the clapped-out front discs. They looked okay, but weren’t. Okay, time to go shopping. Fork seals and dust boots were easy – done. Discs? We’re getting into expensive…

Lap times are the only way this series can gain credibility with the viewing public Anew category has been added to the 2019 MotoGP championship. The bikes will go fast, but they’ll hardly make a sound doing it. Welcome to MotoE. The electric-powered class will be a support event in six races, alongside five European rounds of the MotoGP title, and I’m not sure what to make of it. Eighteen identical Ego Corsa machines will be supplied by Italian manufacturer Energica Motor Company, and the bikes will run under the banner of existing MotoGP teams such as Alma Pramac and Tech 3. Expect to see speeds of 270km/h from these 120kW (160hp) battery-powered beauties with races lasting about 15 minutes, or 10 laps, before the 20kWh batteries give up. Press…

The F 750 and 850 are powered by an all-new 853cc parallel twin in different states of tune. Built in China by Loncin Motor to replace the old unit’s Rotax unit, it features a 270-degree firing interval (compared with the old unit’s 360-degree firing) for a V-twin-like sound as well as two counterbalance shafts for smoothness. It uses a dry-sump system with an integrated oil pan, which eliminates external oil lines, allowing simpler engine removal and faster oil warm up. The slipper clutch provides a lighter action and reduced torque drag, which is handy during heavy braking while changing down a gear. Final drive is again via chain, which has been relocated to the left-hand side to improve manoeuvring the bike by hand, with the muffler (now made from stainless…

HUSQVARNA VITPILEN 701 ENGINE TYPE: Liquid-cooled, OHC, four-valve, twin-spark, four-stroke single-cylinder CAPACITY: 693cc BORE X STROKE: 105mm x 80mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 12.8:1 FUEL SYSTEM: Electronic fuel injection PERFORMANCE POWER: 75hp (55kW) at 8500rpm TORQUE: 72Nm at 67500rpm TRANSMISSION TYPE: Six-speed CLUTCH: Wet, multi-plate FINAL DRIVE: Chain CHASSIS & RUNNING GEAR FRAME: Chrome-moly steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION: Inverted 43mm WP fork, adjustable for rebound and preload REAR SUSPENSION: WP PDS shock, adjustable for preload and rebound FRONT BRAKE: Single 320mm disc with four-piston, radial-mount Brembo caliper, ABS equipped REAR BRAKE: Single 240mm disc with single-piston Brembo caliper, ABS equipped TYRES: Bridgestone Battlax S21, 120/70-17 front, 160/60-17 rear DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES DRY WEIGHT: 157kg SEAT HEIGHT: 830mm WHEELBASE: 1434mm FUEL CAPACITY: 12L OTHER STUFF PRICE: $18,337 rideaway COLOURS: Silver/black WARRANTY: Two-year/unlimited kilometres…

2019 YAMAHA WR450F ENGINE TYPE: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve CAPACITY: 449cc BORE & STROKE: 97.0 x 60.8mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 12.8:1 FUEL SYSTEM: Mikuni 44mm EFI PERFORMANCE POWER: Not given TORQUE: Not given TRANSMISSION TYPE: Constant mesh, five-speed FINAL DRIVE: Chain CHASSIS & RUNNING GEAR FRAME TYPE: Alloy beam FRONT SUSPENSION: KYB SSS 48mm spring-cartridge USD fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: KYB monoshock, fully adjustable FRONT BRAKE: 270mm disc, twin-piston Nissin caliper REAR BRAKE: 245mm disc, single-piston Nissin caliper DIMENSION & CAPACITIES WEIGHT: 110kg (dry), 119kg (wet) SEAT HEIGHT: 955mm WHEELBASE: 1480mm FUEL CAPACITY: 7.9L (remove ADR internal baffle to give 8.5L) OIL CAPACITY: 900mL WHEELS & TYRES FRONT: 90/90-21, Metzeler Six Days Extreme REAR: 130/90-18, Metzeler Six Days Extreme OTHER STUFF PRICE: $13,299 WARRANTY: Three months, parts only www.Yamaha-Motor.com.au…

NEW SOUTH WALES CC Bikeworks, Long Jetty. Repair centre and tyres Ph (02) 43 339 884 Ballina Motorcycles, Ballina. Yamaha, BMW, general service/repairs www.BallinaMotorcycles.com.au Mick Cole Motorcycles, Bega North. Honda, Yamaha www.MickColeMotorcycles.com.au Taree Motorcycles, Taree. Honda/agricultural www.TareeMotorcycles.com.au Sydney Motorcycle Wreckers and Workshop, Hornsby. Servicing and repairs (older models included) www.SydneyMotorcycleWreckers.com.au Vince Strang Motorcycles, Inverell. Suzuki (DR & DR-Z specialist), Honda, Can-Am www.VinceStrangMotorcycles.com.au Cash and Co, St Marys. Repair centre and wrecking Ph (02) 9623 3699 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Corse Motorcycles, Bayswater. Service and repair of all makes and models, specialising in Ducati, MV Agusta as well as customs and race/track-bike preparation. www.CorseMotorcycles.com.au Thunderbike Motorcycles, Bassendean. Moto Guzzi sales and service www.ThunderBikes.com.au Munich Motorcycles, Myaree. BMW parts www.MunichMotorcycles.com.au BM Bikes, Myaree. BMW service and repair www.BMBikes.com.au Planet Honda, Melville. www.PlanetHonda.com.au Western Edge…

1. Ewan and Charley put sales of BMW’s GS into the stratosphere with the travelogue Long Way Round. What motorcycle marque turned down their request for bikes? 2. Name the motorcycle legend locked in a court battle with his son? 3. What’s a cheap trick to revive faded plastic bodywork? 4. Gitanes is a famous French cigarette. What’s the motorcycle connection? 5. What was Japan’s first mass-produced motorcycle to feature turbocharging? 6. Swedish motorcycle manufacturer Husqvarna also has divisions in power tools, consumer watering products, cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. It has also produced a large range of products, including sewing machines, bicycles and kitchen equipment. What was its first plant and what year was it established? 1689, 1701, 1788 or 1978? 7. Besides…