As the track conditions continued to improve, riders soon got to within two seconds of yesterday’s times. Halfway through the session, it was Nicolo Bulega (SKY Racing Team VR46) who was on top of the pile, with the Italian trading places with the likes of Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2). Riders escalated up and down the order, with the rain staying away, getting nearer to the times from the opening day.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
“The new surface is amazing, I think they’ve done a really good job,” said Hopkins, who was st Silverstone with Ducati UK before heading to the Czech Republic for this weekend’s Czech GP. “I was there with Ducati UK just a couple of days ago and it is great. It is so smooth, there was a torrential rainstorm the day before and there was no standing water after, it was bone dry and I am definitely expecting them to break track records when they get there in a few weeks’ time.”
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
So, with no one improving, Quartararo remains top of the combined standings with Marquez close for company in second. Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) set the exact same time to claim P3 and P4 respectively, Viñales sits fifth overall heading into qualifying. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) heads Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) in sixth and seventh, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), Rossi and Petrucci completing the automatic Q2 places.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Heavy rain in the morning meant the Automotodrom Brno was soaked as the lightweight class got Saturday underway. The rain cleared and as the track conditions slightly improved and the riders became accustomed to the wet, times improved throughout the session. Fenati ousted teammate Arbolino from top spot on his final flying lap to sit 0.4 clear of the field, but Masia pipped the Italian to the post to claim FP3 honours.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
A second NSW rider has died today (3 August 2019) in what police describe as a single-vehicle accident and later been found by passing motorists.
NSW Police say a 25-year-old man has died in a “single-vehicle motorcycle crash” in the state’s southern highlands overnight.
“About 4.50am, a motorist travelling along Golden Vale Road, Sutton Forest, contacted emergency services when they drove upon a motorcycle crashed on the side of the road,” police say.
Officers from The Hume Police District, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, attended and found the rider, a 25-year-old man, deceased at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
Reports on both incidents will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone with information about either of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or phone 1800 333 000. Information is treated in confidence. Do not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Police media releases and statements that claim these as single-vehicle accidents before any investigation is concluded raise the spectre that the riders were at fault.
Such assertions should not be made until investigations are completed. Other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians or a stray animal could have caused the crashes.
Claiming that such incidents are single-vehicle crashes can confirm in the minds of the public that riders have a death wish and do not deserve their respect and consideration.
These are dangerous assertions that jeopardise the safety of all riders.
In fact, the statistics show that more motorcycle fatalities are in multi-vehicle crashes.
And in half of those the rider was not at fault.
Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Steve Pearce said he feared police assumed crashes riders were guilty until proven innocent.
“I think there is a view that riders are more likely to be at fault in accidents involving motorcycles and that speed is the common factor,” Steve says.
“We see this in single-vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle, where the rider is automatically deemed to be at fault.
“This ignores factors such as road condition, line markings, recent roadworks, lack of signage.”
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
By Trevor Hedge – Images by iKap
The Thor MX1 title is on the line this weekend and the two prime combatants in this penultimate battle in what is a ten round war, are DPH Husqvarna’s Todd Waters and CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Luke Clout, the gap between the two a slender two championship points heading in to today’s round nine.
Hayden Mellross was also not completely out of the title game, the 23-year-old still in with a chance and only 14-points behind Waters before the gates dropped to commence racing today at Coolum. The Raceline KTM rider had a small crash at Moree but fell awkwardly, tearing his ACL and meniscus in his knee, and also fracturing the neck of his fibula. Mellross still salvaged enough points at Moree to stay in with a chance of championship victory, but it is fair to say that disasters would have to befall Waters and Clout for the injured Mellross to take the #1 plate this weekend.
Championship leader Todd Waters was quickest in the MX1 Raceline Superpole session to head Jesse Dobson and Luke Clout as the three fastest qualifiers as the double-header finale of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals got underway at Coolum this morning.
When the opening MX1 Moto got underway at 1145 on Saturday it only took a couple of turns for Todd Waters to hit the front and start pulling away.
His prime championship rival Luke Clout was in seventh place at the end of lap one, while Mellross was running tenth.
Dylan Long was in second place ahead of Kirk Gibbs, while Richie Evans was in fourth and Lawson Bopping fifth as they started lap three.
A couple of laps later Gibbs got the better of Long to move up to second place while Luke Clout progressed to fourth place, but up front Todd Waters looked untouchable.
And that was how they were ranked at the flag as the opening moto of the two back-to-back conclude. Waters the winner from Gibbs and Long, while Clout was fourth and left eager to make amends in the second stanza.
Todd Waters scored the holeshot once again but this time around Luke Clout had got a much better launch and quickly worked his way around Richie Evans to move up to second place and then put his head down to try and chase Waters.
Waters though had the speed in the sand to clinch the win from Clout while Caleb Ward surprised Kirk Gibbs late in the race and challenged for third place, but Gibbs was able to respond to the challenge and took the flag in third place.
Todd Waters taking the 35-points from the combined result of those opening two motos while Kirk Gibbs took second and Luke Clout was third.
Todd Waters looked pretty much unbeatable in the pair of back-to-back motos earlier in the day and the DPH Husqvarna man was again out to assert his authority when the gates dropped for the final moto of this ninth round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals.
Luke Clout was riding aggressively to quickly sweep his way past Richie Evans to progress through to second place, but then a costly mistake saw the championship challenger go down. He rejoined the race 14-seconds down in 14th place, but still had 29-minutes to claw his way back towards the front…
Kirk Gibbs moved up to second place and then Brett Metcalfe followed through to take third place and push Richie Evans back to fourth. Dylan Long was fifth, Connor Tierney sixth and Jesse Dobson sixth with 22-minutes remaning.
Unfortunately Clout’s championship challenge took another hit when another mistake lost him all the ground he had made up and then some. A third of the way through the moto Clout was in 16th place, 45-seconds behind race leader Todd Waters.
Kirk Gibbs closed in on Todd Waters but the DPH Husqvarna man responded to the challenge and pulled away again from the #5 CDR Yamaha.
The battle for third place was on in earnest with Dylan Long getting the better of Brett Metcalfe with ten-minutes remaining. Once past though Long pulled away from Metty to score a podium.
Todd Waters went on to take another clear victory and thus a perfect points haul from this penultimate round of the championship. The ultimate finale will play out here again at Coolum tomorrow in this double-header weekend that makes up rounds nine and ten of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals.
Kirk Gibbs took second place in the moto despite a small tumble on the penultimate lap and also took second overall for the round.
DPH Husqvarna’s Wilson Todd took an 18-point lead into this penultimate round of the 2019 Pirelli MX2 Championship and extended that lead further in the opening moto today at Coolum.
Kyle Webster was strong early on and looked on course to reduce Todd’s championship lead but as the race progressed Webster was overhauled first by Todd, before later in the moto Nathan Crawford then relegated the Honda man further down to third.
Serco Yamaha’s Nathan Crawford chased Todd hard but the defending champion responded to the challenge and managed his buffer before an exciting final lap that almost saw an upset.
An incredible final lap charge from Kyle Webster saw him overhaul Crawford for second place and the #199 was right on the tail of Todd at the chequered flag but the #1 Husqvarna managed to hold on for victory.
Despite the late charge up to second Webster seemed disappoined to have lost his flow in the middle of the race that saw his potential victory chances spoiled. Webster had recorded the fastest lap of the race, and they don’t call Western Australian’s Sandgropers for nothing, but Todd had the consistency and the package to hold him at bay.
Bailey Malkiewicz took the holeshot in the second moto from Kyle Webster with Riley Ward and Morgan Fogarty the top four as the race got underway. Wilson Todd had a rough first lap, leaving the track at one point and half-way around the opening lap the defending champion was down in eighth place, but by lap two he was up to fourth, and was soon hounding Fogarty for third.
Bailey Malkiewicz was looking strong and with a good chance of taking the win, but a big tumble in the deep sand cost him dearly, and he watched on distraught as Wilson Todd and Kyle Webster swept past him and disappeared into the distance.
Wilson Todd managed to pull away from Kyle Webster as the race progressed and Jay Wilson moved up to third place ahead of Nathan Crawford who had pushed Morgan Fogarty back to fifth.
Kyle Webster saved his best for last to throw down the gauntlet to Wilson Todd on the final laps but the defending champion responded to the challenge to again stretch his buffer and went on to take his second win of the day and extend his championship lead over second placed Kyle Webster while Jay Wilson rounded out the podium ahed of Nathan Crawford.
Raceline KTM’s Regan Duffy took a 34-point lead over Max Purvis in to this penultimate round of the 2019 Motul MXD Championships.
Darwin’s Liam Walsh scored the holeshot on the 250 two-stroke in the opening moto while Rhys Budd was also away well. Championship leader Duffy was caught somewhat napping when the gate fell quicker than he had expected, and was outside the top ten as the 27 rider field hit turn one.
Championship challenger Max Purvis fell shortly after the start but by the end of that first lap the Kiwi youngster had battled back through the pack and was up to 12th place.
Noah Ferguson overhauled Liam Walsh for the race lead on lap two but Regan Duffy started really blasting through the dark sand of Coolum and had started to challenge Ferguson for the lead before going down on lap three. Duffy was up quickly but not before he had been passed by Jayce Cosford, Jai Walker, Max Purvis and Rhys Budd.
Max Purvis was absolutely flying as he made up all that ground he lost on the opening lap, putting in fastest lap after fastest lap. He was up to fourth position on lap four, and was showing enough speed to propel himself on the podium, with six laps to run he looked fast enough to pull that eight-seconds back on Ferguson. I had hardly finished typing that paragraph before Purvis had dispensed with Cosford and Walker and looked as though he would walk his way into the lead, but then another mistake saw the Kiwi teenager lose time and positions once again.
It only took a lap for Purvis to work his way back up to second place, that seventh lap was four-seconds faster than any other rider in the field on that particular lap. The gap to race leader Ferguson was now 5.5-seconds with two laps to run.
With one lap remaining the gap was down to 1.45-seconds, but that was gone in the matter of a few turns as the young Kiwi sucked the stickers of Ferguson’s KTM as he blew past with ease in a display of sensational speed.
But then another mistake by Purvis on the final lap saw him go off the circuit, allowing Ferguson back to the lead! The two negotiated lapped traffic through the final turns but it was Purvis who took the chequered flag first. Purvis had passed every rider in the race, leaving the track a couple of times, and also falling off once, but still managed to take the win…
Regan Duffy rounded out the podium and saw his championship lead trimmed by five-points.
Tye Jones scored the holeshot in the second MXD bout but Rhys Budd was quickly through to the lead while Noah Ferguson then pushed Jones further back to third. Max Purvis was fourth ahead of Jayce Cosford, Liam Walsh and Oliver Marchand while Regan Duffy was eighth.
A very loose looking Max Purvis then pulled an amazing double act by taking Budd and Ferguson in one foul swoop to take the race lead.
Max Purvis made less mistakes this time around, the Kiwi youngster just stood on the pegs as his Yamaha went every which way and loose beneath him, but he just kept it pinned and pointed in the right way to leave the field in his wake.
Even the WA sand experience of Regan Duffy was not enough to constrain the young New Zealander. Duffy had to settle for second place while Noah Ferguson took third. Rhys Budd just missed out on a podium.
Source: MCNews.com.au
As of the upcoming 2019/20 season, which gets underway on 21st/22nd September with the Bol d’Or in Le Castellet (FRA), a BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team will contest the FIM EWC with the new RR. The commitment is in collaboration with the Team MRP of Team Manager Werner Daemen (BEL). The riders will be announced at a later date.
“The FIM Endurance World Championship is an attractive platform for us for many reasons,” said Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad. “Endurance races like the Bol d’Or or Le Mans are real tests of stamina for both man and machine during which we can showcase the performance of our BMW S 1000 RR on the international stage. The FIM EWC is becoming increasingly popular around the world and gives us the opportunity to be present also in the Asian markets. That’s why it is a logical step for us to expand our works commitment with the new RR, which is already making waves in the FIM Superbike World Championship this season. I’m looking forward to gripping endurance races with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team.”
“As part of our customer racing programme, we have had a presence in the FIM EWC for several years and we are looking forward to taking the next step with the new BMW S 1000 RR and having a works involvement there now,” added BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers. “Werner Daemen’s MRP team is a competent partner with a wealth of racing experience, who is also already very familiar with the new RR. We’re also excited to have Dunlop on board and part of this project as tyre partner. Dunlop will also provide strong support with their expertise. The objective is clear: The first season in this top-level world championship will be a year of learning in which we want to become more and more competitive step by step. In the longer term our aim is to be up there among the leading pack and battling for the title.”
“We’re really looking forward to this fantastic new project and being able to enter the Endurance World Championship with the support of BMW Motorrad Motorsport and a works team,” said Werner Daemen. “I believe that we have the necessary experience and we are eagerly awaiting the 2019/20 season. I would like to thank BMW Motorrad Motorsport for their continuous confidence in our work. I was an active rider in the Endurance World Championship myself and recorded a few successes, for example, second place in the 24-hour race in Francorchamps in 2000. I hope to be celebrating similar successes with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team sometime in the near future.”
In preparation for the start of the season, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is currently developing an endurance version based on the RR Superbike used in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).
Source: MCNews.com.au
World Environment Day may be held in June, but every day is a world environment day for riders!
It may be difficult to think of motorcycle riders as greenies or environmentalists when many have grease under their fingernails and high-octane fuel vapour in their nostrils.
However, the American Motorcyclist Association thinks riders are greenies at heart and they are probably right.
While cyclists continue the high moral ground on environmentalism, it can often be a sham. I’ve seen them rock up for a morning ride with their carbon fibre $12,000 bicycle clamped on the roof racks of their fuel-guzzling 4WD!
Meanwhile, motorcycle riders are true greenies, burning less fuel riding to work or going for a weekend ride through the country. We also appreciate the environment more than most.
The last time you went for a ride, did you head out into the country or ride around the suburbs? Of course, you went out into the country! And what did you do? Did you snap photos of your bike with a house behind it or in some beautiful natural vista? Check out the pix on this page!
We can also claim that our fuel-miserly bikes also chew up less of the world’s mineral resources to produce. Less than even the smallest city car and much less than any hybrid – supposedly green – car. And because motorcycles are lighter, they also do much less damage to our roads. True greenies, we motorcyclists!
If there were more motorcycles and fewer cars on the roads it would contribute to a less crowded road network, reduce air pollution and help alleviate inner-city parking problems.
But don’t take my word for it. This is what American Motorcyclist Association president and CEO Rob Dingman said: “Motorcyclists are proud of their contributions to the health of the planet, whether through physical labor in maintaining trails or planting trees or simply commuting to work and leaving the gas-guzzler at home.
“When you look at the big picture, it’s clear that motorcycling contributes to the social good. Motorcycle use improves the health of the planet by improving fuel economy, reducing pollution and congestion, and providing a fun outdoor activity for tens of thousands of people every day.”
Go out and ride and declare every day world environment day.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
With the fight for victory at round five of the World Enduro Super Series proving hotly contested,Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler took the win on Off Road Day Three over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Taddy Blazusiak (POL) and Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing duo Graham Jarvis (GB) and Alfredo Gomez (ESP).
The fourth day of racing in the world’s toughest Hard Enduro Rallye saw competitors from 50 nations face another long and demanding day in the saddle. An early start for all took riders over one and a half hours from the host city Sibiu, before a 142-kilometre course weaved its way back.
At the head of the field it was Gomez who led the competitors away with Jarvis and Lettenbichler in tow. Sixth on Off Road Day Two, Blazusiak favoured the terrain more today and was quickly up to speed with the leading trio of Gomez, Lettenbichler and Jarvis, with Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB) right behind him.
For the majority of the day, the riders chopped and changed position. Gomez held the lead in the closing stages with Blazusiak, Jarvis and Lettenbichler closely positioned waiting for an opportunity. That came on the day’s final climb when Gomez came unstuck. Lettenbichler was quick to pounce and took the lead to charge ahead and win the day.
Manuel Lettenbichler
“My day started really well, I passed Graham at the beginning and then caught Alfredo and the two of us rode together for most of the day. There was some pretty difficult stuff today, but I didn’t struggle with the uphills as much as the last two days so I’m pretty happy. Toward the end of the day Alfredo really opened it up on one of the faster sections – full motocross style. I thought to myself there’s no way I can push like that so I let him go. Luckily, I caught him again right before the last uphill and managed to get past him, so that was a really good feeling. I’m the overall leader now so hopefully I can keep that momentum until the finish tomorrow.”
Gomez crossed the finish line in second, but on corrected time it was Blazusiak who edged out Jarvis to the runner-up spot, shuffling Gomez back to fourth.
Taddy Blazusiak
“The day went good today, Billy and I set off really hard and soon caught up to Graham. I passed Jonny and Mario along the way and pretty much kept my position till the finish. I lost a little bit of time toward the end, but I’m stoked with second. It’s a shame I lost so much time on the first day, but we’ll take a look at the overall now and if we’re in with a chance I’ll push hard again tomorrow. The level of riding is so close this year so when you lose a little time it’s so hard to get it back. Either way I’ll be trying my best tomorrow on the final day.”
A strong ride from Bolt saw him end his day in fifth, with Sherco Factory Racing’s Mario Roman (ESP) having a difficult day for sixth.
Jonny Walker (KTM – GB) and David Cyprian (KTM – CZ) were seventh and eighth respectively, while Classic Enduro specialists Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) and Nathan Watson (KTM – GB) completed the top 10.
With Manuel Lettenbichler becoming the third race leader in as many days, the German holds a one-minute and nine-second advantage entering the final day of competition. Gomez sits behind him in second, but with Jarvis only a further three minutes adrift, it’s still all very much to play for.
Australian Anthony Solar is currently 22nd overall in the Gold category ahead of countrymen Chris Perry (28th) and Adam Giles (33). Perry had a massive time penalty on Friday for failing to make check points while Giles did not make the start.
Spain’s Josu Artola continued his domination of the Silver class by claiming his third victory of the week. Artola has proved the rider to beat, despite the best efforts from his closest competitors. Now finding his form in this year’s race, Sam Winterburn (GB) once again placed second to Artola to maintain his position of second in the race. With a fourth-place result, Josef Westgarth (GB) completes the overall top three.
Sam Winterburn – Silver Class
“I’m feeling great to be honest. I had a bit of a bad morning today but was able to regroup this afternoon and pull a bit of time back. The Silver tracks have been really enjoyable in general. I did the Gold class a couple of years ago and it was too tough for me, so I dropped down for this year. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still really tough and there’s some fast boys riding, but overall it’s all going good. Going into the final day tomorrow my plan is just to try to stay on two wheels and bring it home – I’m looking forward to it.”
Shane Moss is the leading Australian in the Silver category and is currently 17th in the class ahead of countrymen Adam Poole (23rd), Tim Gibson (39th), Sam Preece (56th) and Shane Bowden (96th). Preece had time penalties on Friday while Bowden did not start.
In Bronze, Off Road Day Three marked a win for USA’s Eric Slominski over Poland’s Marcin Welglarz and Romania’s Radu Sardarescu. With another top-three ride to his credit, Welgalrz holds a three-minute lead over France’s Jean Michel Vigand.
Australia’s Brent Brady has moved up to fourth overall in the Bronze category ahead of countrymen Cameron Bice (20th), Christian Barrett (42nd), Jason Beaton (52nd), Raymond Borg (55th), Robert Kingston (66th), Nicholas Kirk (74th), Dwayne Affleck (93rd), Paul Mapperson (98th), Craig Robers (106th), Brendon Cousins (146th), John Cockings (166th) and Brett Summers (186th). Summers did not start day three.
The Iron class sees Germany’s Anna Schmolzl extend her lead in the race. While Britain’s Tom Simpson won the day, another consistent and soild ride from Schmolzl moves her 16 minutes clear of her nearest competitor Eduardo Martinez of Mexico. If Schmolzl can go on to win, she will become the first female rider in the history of Red Bull Romaniacs to do so.
Anna Schmolzl – Iron Class
“It’s been such a good week for me so far and I had a great day today. It was the hardest day for me today because it’s quite slippery after the rain and there was a lot of debris on the tracks. I haven’t won a day yet but I’m leading the overall and hopefully I can bring it to the finish tomorrow. It would mean so much to me to win the Iron class, especially as this will be the last race for me before I have to have surgery on my knee in three weeks’ time. After that I will be off the bike for maybe half a year.”
Aaron Mcfadzen is faring best out of the Australian entrants in the Iron category and is now 32nd overall ahead of countrymen Domenic Dercole (43rd), Aaron Panozza (45th), Brenden Murphy (64th), Joshua Devine (65th), Andrew Donnelly (95th), and Christopher Withers (96th). Both Donnelly and Withers did not start day three.
Round five of the World Enduro Super Series at Red Bull Romaniacs, concludes Saturday, August 3. Watch the final day of racing live on Red Bull TV.
Source: MCNews.com.au
Yamaha’s Niken GT three-wheeler looks like an alien, but it corners surprisingly well, says Motorbike Writer contributor Todd Parkes.
When I first set eyes on the Yamaha Niken, I imagined an alien would ride one of these monsters.
This bike is pretty much an MT-09 with two very skilfully engineered front wheels grafted to what would have normally been the pointy end.
Piaggio and other scooter manufacturers (Yamaha’s Tricity included) have proved this concept of ‘doubling’ the front end grip of a cycle.
How many times have we watched motorcycle racing and witnessed a front end loss? The front wheel ‘tucks’ up and chucks its hapless rider down the road.
I tested the original Piaggio MP3 when released, and it was the most sure footed thing I’d ever ridden.
So, can the three-wheeled Niken service it up to its two-wheeled counterparts?
Apparently it can top around 210km/h and was a full second quicker than its MT-09 sibling, around Yamaha’s test track.
The bike I tested was the $24,478 (+ on-road costs) Niken GT and it can certainly live up to the Grand Tourer standard. It has heated grips, cruise control, touring screen, panniers, shift indicator, selection of three sport modes, traction control, ABS, side and centre stands, comfortable seating position, and wide handle bars.
There’s a six-speed transmission, a 847cc DOHC triple developing 86kW (115HP) at 10,000rpm, kerb weight of a hefty 263kg and high 820mm seat.
The 18 litre fuel tank will give a comfortable range of 300km before the reserve counter kicks in, depending on the engine mode used and how heavily you twist the throttle.
Sitting behind the handle bars gives no indication of what’s in front of you. The fairing may be a bit wider but apart from that nothing seems any different from a standard motorbike.
There is no requirement for tuition on how to ride the Niken. A Can-Am Spyder, outfit or even a trike needs a skill set outside that for riding a normal motorcycle.
You ride a Niken in the exact same way you ride any other bike.
The only differences are a slight noticeable ‘drag’ at slow speed, you can brake later into corners using more front brake and right hand U-turns are a piece of cake. You can even drag the front brake without pulling yourself down.
You do need a side stand and it will fall over if you don’t hold it up.
There are no fancy hydraulics, electronics or sensors, just plain old good quality mechanical engineering.
The mirrors are well positioned and offer good rear and side views without being filled with the rider’s shoulders or arms.
They can be difficult to adjust being so far forward, however, they are positioned in such a way that there is little need to shift the eyeline from the road ahead.
The instrumentation, mirrors and view ahead are virtually all in the same line of sight.
The one constant while riding this bike is, stability. High speed, low speed, wet grass, gravel, uneven surfaces or cornering, it’s all the same.
There is a complete feeling of confidence that the bike will stay on track and be completely controllable.
I threw it at everything I could think of and it felt like it was on rails at all times. I reckon I’d have to do something completely stupid or idiotic to throw it down the road.
Both front tyres are still planted firmly on the road by the time you are fully grinding the footpegs into the tar.
With my treasured pillion onboard we headed off to see what she thought of passenger comfort.
Seat comfort was good, grab rails were well positioned, foot rests not too high.
There was plenty of room for her to shift about. Now, as the rider, I noticed that there was no need for me to compensate for being with a pillion, those small counterbalance shifts a rider makes to keep the bike stable two up, the Niken does it for you. Two up at 10kph….easy…..two up over soft ground and wet grass is a doddle. Amazing!
I’m 180cm tall and 90kg and the 820mm seat height suited me fine. I was able to get both feet flat on the ground and spread out for good support.
The panniers are a little unusual in that they’re a cross between a soft and hard case with zipper closure (they came with a pannier liner bag).
They appear to be a bit on the light side, but, hold about 30 litres securely and can be carried around just like any old set of luggage.
The main downside with the panniers is their exposure to being ‘booted’ when getting on or off the bike. They won’t hold a full face, but will take an open-face helmet.
Apart from the obvious expense of purchasing an extra tyre, my main concern was the “busy” left hand switch block. It takes some time to get used to.
The high beam idiot light is a bit too bright at night, as are the cruise control globes. I’d also prefer some adjustment for the windscreen.
Look beyond the alien appearance and take one for a test ride. It will surprise you as it did me.
Most of my age group couldn’t get past the alien appearance, but a couple of young riders walked up and started taking photos.
Their attention was drawn by the steering mechanism under the front. They thought the bike was pretty cool!
Thanks to Yamaha Australia and Simon from Chris Watson Cessnock for the test bike. The base model starts at $22,438 (+ORC). Options include panniers ($775), brackets ($523) and centre stand ($781).
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
