With most of the world staying home and cutting costs, it’s been no new pony trick to adapt to the environs and adjust to the outside world. And in a world where carbon emissions are no laughing matter, three companies are stepping up to the proverbial plate and contributing to a very realistic grey zone between gasoline and electric vehicles.
According to a report from MotoPinas, Bosch and Volkswagon have joined forces with Shell to create a new low-carbon “blue” fuel that is made from 33% renewable ingredients from biomass-based naphtha and ethanol – two ingredients that have been certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system as sustainable.
When introduced to any compatible vehicle, this gasoline will ensure a reduction of 20% carbon emissions per kilometer driven. That’s a huge difference compared to today’s fossil fuel fleet, and the future is nearer than it seems.
Dr. Uwe Gackstatter, president of the Bosch Powertrain Solutions
GreenCarCongress also highlighted the importance of a fuel that has longer storage time. Sebastian Willmann, head of Internal Combustion Engine Development at Volkswagen, made the following statement:
“Blue Gasoline is another building block in the effective reduction of CO₂ emissions from the vehicle fleet. Blue Gasoline’s high storage stability makes the fuel particularly suitable for use in plug-in hybrid vehicles. In the future, the expansion of the charging infrastructure and larger batteries will mean that these vehicles predominantly run on electrical power, and thus that fuel may remain in the fuel tank for longer periods of time.”
Volkswagon has been using the dubbed “Blue Gasoline” to test proficiency in a group of Golf 1.5 TSI hatchbacks, and the results are stunning. If driven 100,000 miles in one year, 1000 of these cars will have contributed to 230 LESS metric tons of CO₂ in our air. That’s a hefty difference and something that many have decided is worth investing in.
Word is that the first country to reap the benefits of the Blue Gasoline will be the Philippines, where fuel-injected motorcycles will also benefit from the low-carbon bliss of a clean future.
Triumph Motorcycles returns to the basics with its beautifully styled 2021 Trident 660 ($8,095 as tested). A fresh entry into Triumph’s roadster line-up, the Trident naked bike fills the void left by the original Street Triple 675— a fun and affordable motorcycle that punched beyond its weight. However with tighter packaging, the Trident focuses on new motorcyclists and folks looking for a fashionable yet functional urban street bike.
Triumph Motorcycles gets back to the basics with its gorgeous Trident 660 ($8,095 as tested). (Adam Waheed/)
We’re big fans of the Trident’s oversized rear brake disc. A shapely swingarm hides the shock linkage. (Adam Waheed/)
Seated at the controls, the Trident offers a slim and well proportioned riding position. The one-piece saddle is nice and low and it proves a very easy bike to straddle, even for shorter folks. There’s also room for a passenger if a friend wants to tag along. The handlebar bend is neutral and well-suited for general riding. However, it is a tad narrow for our tastes.
A round face dash display does a good job of honoring tradition, but incorporating modern technology. (Adam Waheed/)
Thumb the starter button and the 660cc Triple whirls to live with its customary but still sweet melody. Triumph’s been building this engine configuration for over 15 years and we remain big fans of its soul and character. One gripe: The engine has moderate vibration at highway cruising speed in top gear.
A tasteful round-face color dash display keeps tabs on the bike’s vitals and does a great job of balancing classic style and modern technology. Five button switch gear lets you navigate through vehicle settings. It would have been nice if Triumph included an ambient air temperature readout though. Crisp LED lighting helps the Triumph rider stand out and we appreciate how the license plate bracket is mounted neatly to the swingarm, tidying up the rear end.
Despite employing lower-spec slide-type calipers, the brakes on the Trident 660 are surprisingly effective at shedding speed. (Adam Waheed/)
Through the city, the Trident performs well with 93% of its peak torque (43 pound-feet) available from 3,500 rpm. This along with a low first gear, and responsive, yet easy squeezing clutch lever make zipping between stop lights fun. Horsepower-wise the 660 delivers 72 ponies at 10,200 rpm. But we’d be lying if we didn’t say the engine peters out a bit early up top. Fuel mileage-wise we record a 39.2 mpg average. This nets a range of around 148-miles based on the smallish capacity of the 3.8-gallon tank.
The one-piece saddle is nice and low making the Trident more accessible to smaller riders. (Adam Waheed/)
Maintenance-wise, after the initial 600-mile service, the Trident goes 10,000 miles or a year between engine oil and filter changes. Valve adjustment and air filter service is recommended at 20,000 mile intervals.
Crisp LED lighting helps the Trident rider stand out on the road. (Adam Waheed/)
Riders can choose between Road and Rain riding modes. New riders will likely appreciate the “Rain” setting, as it makes the motorcycle easier to ride and get acclimated to. The Road setting offers accurate throttle responsive, however it is a tad muted. Manually defeatable traction control is also standard, however the engine’s powerband is so friendly that TC is unnecessary. Still, it’s nice to know that it comes with this feature at its price point.
Triumph did a terrific job on the styling of the 2021 Trident 660. We appreciate its tasteful yet elegant lines. (Adam Waheed/)
Despite weighing 417-pounds when topped off with fuel, in motion the Trident feels much lighter. Steering is ultra-responsive which makes it easy to put the bike exactly where you want. Suspension action is balanced and offers above average ride quality. Heavier folks will occasionally feel some jolts when hitting big bumps at speed, but we were generally impressed with the well-rounded performance of the suspension, especially in the twisties. The OE-fitted Michelin Road 5 tires are another nice touch and perform well.
The Trident is powered by a 660cc liquid-cooled Triple. The engine pumps out 93% of its peak torque from as low as 3,500 rpm. (Adam Waheed/)
Despite the use of less expensive slide-type brake caliper hardware, the Trident’s anchors are surprisingly adept at shedding speed. Braking feel is a clear highlight and always-on ABS takes the worry out of using the brakes aggressively regardless if you’re a new or more experienced rider.
The ergonomics package is proportioned well and is cozy for tall and short riders alike. (Adam Waheed/)
Whether you’re a new rider, or someone seeking a second bike for urban rides, the Trident 660 ticks a lot of boxes. Not only is it priced right, but it rides as well as it looks. Consider its lofty service intervals and pleasing fit and finish, and there are plenty of reasons why you need a Triumph in the garage.
Triumph offers exceptional value in the class with its loveable Trident 660 naked bike. (Adam Waheed/)
Gear Box
Helmet: Shoei RF-SR
Jacket: REV’IT! Crossroads
Gloves: REV’IT! Volcano
Pant: REV’IT! Jackson
Boots: REV’IT! G-Force
We love the clean, uncluttered look of the Trident’s tail section. (Adam Waheed/)
2021 Triumph Trident 660 Technical Specifications and Price
Last year, we saw Quartararo finish P9 – from pole – in the wet conditions on home turf. It was El Diablo’s first wet race in MotoGP™, so it was no surprise to see the likes of him and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and other inexperienced premier class riders struggle slightly. However, in arguably trickier circumstances, 2021 saw the 22-year-old produce a terrific performance to finish P3. Quartararo himself admitted it felt like a victory. After Jerez’s setback, returning to the podium in such conditions was a Champion’s ride.
Monster will take top billing at two Grands Prix in 2021: the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya and the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. The iconic M first took centre stage at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in 2010 and more recently at the Catalan Grand Prix in 2014. It has since remained an integral part of the race weekend in Barcelona, which is one of the biggest events on the calendar. In 2021, the British Grand Prix becomes the latest blue riband event with Monster as title sponsor, beginning a new chapter in the marque’s collaboration with MotoGP™.
Thirty-eight years into the 73-year history of Grand Prix racing you had to start the race by pushing your bike to fire it into action ready for the battle that lay ahead. From 50 to 500cc and even sidecars, it was the only way to join the fight. So many races were lost as a rider pushed, pushed and pushed to start his bike as his rivals disappeared over the horizon and out of sight. It all changed in 1987 when clutch starts were finally ratified starting at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, the opening round of the World Championship.
The latest version of CFMOTO’s learner legal 650GT has now arrived in Australia in two colour options for 2021, Nebula White and Midnight Black, priced at just $8,490 ride-away.
2021 CFMoto 650GT – Midnight Black
The 650GT shares the same 180-degree free-revving powerplant as the NK naked models and the 650MT, producing 41.5 kW (55.7 hp) at 9500 rpm and 62 Nm at 7000 rpm and fed by Bosch fuel injection. Thanks to a gear-driven counterbalancer, the 650GT is vibe-free all the way up to the 10,500 rpm rev limiter.
In keeping the GT (Gran Turismo or grand touring) virtues, the machine has protective bodywork, a spacious cockpit, 19-litre fuel tank (for a range of well over 300 km), power sockets (12V and USB) and an adjustable screen (which allows for 50 mm of movement), while there’s a dual-mode TFT dash and optional 32-litre hard panniers.
2021 CFMoto 650GT – Midnight Black
The 650GT’s curves and distinctive headlight design are from KISKA, the same European-based styling house used by KTM, while other componentry includes KYB suspension, a tubular steel frame, six-speed transmission, chain final drive and cast-alloy wheels with quality Metzeler Roadtec rubber.
The 650GT’s dry weight is 213 kg, while stopping power comes courtesy of Spanish J.Juan calipers integrated with twin-channel Continental ABS.
2021 CFMoto 650GT – Nebula White
The seat height is a low 795 mm and the bike has a compact 1415 mm wheelbase ensuring sporty handling. Like all CFMOTO road bikes, the 650GT now comes with a three-year factory unlimited-kilometre warranty.
For more information on the 650GT, check out the CFMoto website (link) or visit your local CFMOTO dealer.
2021 CFMOTO 650GT Specifications
2021 CFMoto 650GT Specifications
Engine
Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, eight-valve, DOHC parallel twin with counterbalancer
Displacement
649.3 cc
Bore x stroke
83 mm x 60 mm
Fuel system
Bosch electronic fuel injection
Transmission
Six-speed
Final drive
Chain
Maximum power
41.5 kW (55.7 hp) at 9500 rpm
Maximum torque
62 Nm at 7000 rpm
Frame
Tubular steel with engine as stressed member
Front
suspension: 38 mm KYB telescopic fork, 120 mm travel
Rear suspension
KYB cantilever monoshock, preload-adjustable, 45 mm travel
Front brakes
Twin 300 mm discs with J.Juan twin-piston calipers, Continental ABS
Rear brakes
240 mm disc with J.Juan single-piston caliper, Continental ABS
Luggage kit valued at $1500 only $990 for a limited time…
Alongside a trio of Royal Enfield Himalayans tackling the 2021 Open Roads Rally, Royal Enfield ANZ have also announced the Explorer Kit being available for a special price of $990 RRP with any Himalayan pre-order.
That’s $1500 in luggage and engine protectors for just $990, including all the necessary mounting hardware to connect the 26L hard cases. The cases come standard with lockable lids and are available in black or silver, with 18 mm mild steel mounting racks.
Grab the Explorer Kit with a Royal Enfield Himalayan at the special price of just $990
The engine protection is a set of 25 mm mild steel tube bars, designed to offer high levels of protection with minimal impact on the look of the bike.
The promotion ends June 20, 2021, or while stocks last and does not include fitment. The offer for $990 is only valid with the purchase of a new Royal Enfield Himalayan at the time of purchase.
2021 Open Roads Rally
Royal Enfield Australia & NZ sponsored this year’s Open Roads Rally, held out of Coonawarra Farm Resort in Gippsland, Victoria. The Royal Enfield ANZ team entering three standard Himalayans. Navigating the off-road tracks, climbing mountains and fording rivers. They battled the elements and had everything thrown at them over the weekend, but the versatile Himalayans handled everything with ease.
2021 Open Roads Rally
Check out the above vid to see some of the actions and get a look into the 2021 Open Roads Rally with Royal Enfield’s adventure machine – the Himalayan.
The Himalayan is a LAMS legal machine available for just $7,690 Ride-Away with a two-year unlimited kilometre warranty, providing an exception value machine for adventure riding.
2021 Open Roads Rally
Powered by an air-cooled four-stroke 411 cc single producing 24.5 hp and 32 Nm of torque, a five-speed gearbox, EFI, electric start and easy-going nature make the Himalayan a great machine for exploring.
The seat height is an inviting 800 mm, with a 191 kg kerb weight, ABS is standard fitment and switchable, with a 15 L fuel capacity and disc brakes front and rear. Wheels are a 21 inch front and 17 inch rear, with generous 200 mm front travel and 180 mm rear.
2021 FIM Superbike World Championship
Pirelli Aragon Round 1
216 days will have passed since the last round of WorldSBK action, but now it’s game on at Aragon
The 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship fires back into life this weekend for the opening round of the season, coming from the MotorLand Aragon venue in Alcañiz, Spain. For the first time since 2004, the Championship starts in Europe and with new names, new bikes and refreshed team line-ups all playing a part, we could be in for one of the most unpredictable seasons yet.
Who will step up to take the battle up to the reigning six-time World Champion?
Jonathan Rea
2020 WorldSBK Champion
Jonathan Rea has a sparkling record at MotorLand Aragon. He’s never missed the podium since joining Kawasaki in 2015, a run of 17 a record on its own. He’s also aiming for a 100th win in WorldSBK, which would make him the first motorcycle racer in an FIM Road Racing World Championship to win 100 races in one class. He took three wins at Aragon in 2020 and aims to start his quest for a seventh title strongly. His teammate is Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who, despite a preseason testing injury, is ready to make a step in 2021. Rea and Lowes have the new Kawasaki ZX-10RR at their disposal, which features a new fairing and more powerful engine.
Scott Redding
The charge to toppling Kawasaki comes from Ducati and they’ve got a strong line-up in 2021. 2020 runner-up Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) remains for a second season, with charismatic Italian sensation Michael Ruben Rinaldi alongside him. Redding took two wins at MotorLand Aragon last year, whilst Rinaldi took a first of his career before going on to take two more podiums throughout the rest of the Teruel Round. Both have tested extensively in preseason, including at Aragon, and with Ducati being the most successful manufacturer at the venue in terms of victories, it may add a different dynamic and complexion to the start of 2021.
Toprak Razgatlioglu
The next-best manufacturer in 2020 was Yamaha, with Turkish-ace Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) taking fourth overall last year with three wins. Toprak struggled at Aragon in 2020, breaking into the top five only once from six races at the track, a venue which has been tricky for Yamaha in recent years. Razgatlioglu will have a new teammate for 2021 with Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) stepping up, having dominated World Supersport last year, taking 12 wins – of which four were at Aragon. He’s been chipping away in testing, whilst Yamaha have a modified front fairing for 2021 and an evolved engine, as well the new Brembo front brake calipers. Are these steps enough to start the year in competitive fashion?
Leon Haslam
Whilst Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) and teammate Leon Haslam remain with Honda for 2021 and achieved an identical points tally in 2020, there’s still plenty of big talking points at HRC for 2021. The first is ex-WorldSBK star Leon Camier is the new team manager, having retired from racing after an injury-hit 2020. The other major change is the technological advances with the motorcycle, such as an upgraded engine, new exhaust system and seat unit, not to mention a swingarm that had been trialled in testing. The HRC engineers back in Japan have invested a lot of time into making the Fireblade CBR1000RR-R SP a constant front-running contender and with Aragon being the scene of the bike’s first podium in 2020 and the scene of plenty of preseason testing, it could be a strong start. After all, Bautista did win three races at the venue back in 2019, when he was a rookie…
Michael van der Mark
The last of the five factories is BMW, who come out fighting in 2021 with an all-new M 1000 RR, the first Superbike derived from their M-series department. Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) starts a third season with the German manufacturer and the season starts where he achieved the first front row for the manufacturer on their return in 2019. Sykes has more poles than anyone else at Aragon, whilst new teammate Michael van der Mark was a consistent front-runner in 2020 across both Aragon weekends. Still adapting to the new bike, which features winglets, a new engine and a whole host of other advances, van der Mark hopes to start 2021 in solid fashion.
The excitement’s building: the 2021 season starts NOW at Aragon!
Chaz Davies – 2021 Aragon WSBK Test
Now to the Independent stars: the undisputed King of Aragon is Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven), who gets started with his new team. Seven wins and eight other podiums, Davies – the highest point-scorer of all riders from the final three rounds of 2020 – may be in the fight this weekend. Another top Independent threat comes from Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team), who took two podiums at the final round of 2020 and has the 2021-spec Yamaha for this year. Lots of testing, including at MotorLand Aragon, Gerloff should be at the front. Three other familiar names with Independent teams in 2021 are Eugene Laverty (RC Squadra Corse), who debuts with the new team, Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team), with the Argentinean-ace starting a new challenge and Christophe Ponsson (Alstare Yamaha), who brings the iconic Alstare name back to WorldSBK.
Jonas Folger
There’s lots of rookies in Independent teams in 2021, with Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing) being the fastest coming into the season, whilst ex Moto2 World Champion Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) joins the grid from MotoGP. 2017 WorldSSP Champion Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) graduates and Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) brings his radical riding style to WorldSBK to fly the flag for Japan. Isaac Viñales (ORELAC Racing VerdNatura) steps up to the class, whilst one of the youngest teams on the grid is the TPR Team Pedercini Racing squad, with 22-year-old Belgian Loris Cresson and 23-year-old Italian Samuele Cavalieri. Finally, the youngest rider on the grid is Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), who has made a solid first impression during testing.
Phil Aynsley is raising funds for his next project on Kickstarter, aiming to release ‘500cc Grand Prix Motorcycles: The 2-Stroke Era‘ a photographic tribute book on the machines acknowledged as being the most aggressive, wildest and untameable to ever be seen on a racetrack.
500cc Grand Prix Motorcycles: The 2-Stroke Era (Limited Edition Box Set)
Nicknamed ‘the Unrideables’, from 1969 to 2003, these simple, yet wildly powerful engines dominated the senior GP class. Being extremely lightweight and powerful, two-strokes accelerated rapidly and violently, with performance that was scarcely believable… and rendering them incredibly difficult to control.
Renowned as a unique era in the annuals of racing, with unforgettable sights and sounds. Seeking to capture some of the mystique of the period, 500cc Grand Prix Motorcycles: The 2-Stroke Era will include Phil Aynsley’s world renowned photography, with motorcycle journalist, Hamish Cooper offering insight and context to the many machines featured.
500cc Grand Prix Motorcycles: The 2-Stroke Era
Measuring 265 x 300 mm, 500cc Grand Prix Motorcycles: The 2-Stroke Era, A Photographic Tribute will be a limited-edition, 228-page art book celebrating the never-to-be-seen-again 500cc two-stroke motorbike era and incredible riders and teams that mastered those dangerous and exciting races.
The production and print will be funded through pledges on the Kickstarter page. It will ship out in December 2021 – first to backers and supporters. 500cc Grand Prix Motorcycles: The 2-Stroke Era is a collaborative effort produced to the highest ethical standards and that does justice to the incredible machines contained within.
500cc Grand Prix Motorcycles: The 2-Stroke Era
The first run will be 925 books, and the first 100 backers also receive one signed limited edition print. The cost for these unboxed books will be $195 plus postage. The RRP of the book is $260 plus postage, so you are saving 25 per cent off the retail price.
For a limited time, there’s also 75 Boxed Limited Edition books. These books will include a signed certificate of authenticity, by Phil Aynsley and arrive in a special collector’s box, along with three signed limited edition prints. The cost for these special Collector’s Boxed Limited Editions is $650 plus postage.
