For the first time, Australia will host a round of the world supercross championship in 2022 after the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) announced Australian company SX Global would take over the running of the series.
SX Global, whose president is former V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane, will develop and manage a new international series for the next decade with the schedule to be announced in January 2022.
This is the first time a FIM world championship has been conducted by an Australian-based company.
Critics might say Cochrane sold out V8 Supercars with overseas races, paid-TV rights and street races that took patronage away from traditional tracks.
However, there can be little doubt he put motor racing in the spotlight, attracted millions in government funding for street-based events and by the time he left in 2012 had turned it into a $A300m business.
FIM president Jorge Viegas is obviously a supporter, saying Cochrane’s SX Global has the “expertise and the ability to deliver a first class FIM Supercross World Championship”.
“The new series will offer exciting races thanks to the passion and extended experience of the SX Global team, with a plan that will gradually expand the Championship to new countries and territories across the world,” he says.
SX Global boss (from left) managing directors Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson with Tony Cochrane
SX Global also includes Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson who created the former AUS-X Open Supercross series and since 2015 have created and hosted several FIM Oceania Championship events.
They have confirmed there will be a round in Australia when the full calendar is announced in the last week of January 2022.
There’s never been a round of the World Championship in Australia as it has predominantly been held in North America. This will be the first time the championship has gone truly global.
Adam says supercross popularity and growth globally has surged in recent years and the new series would help Aussie racers on the world stage.
“We intend to uncover new Supercross champions from all corners of the globe while celebrating and elevating current riders to be true international stars,” he says.
“We’ll showcase their incredible athletic ability and fearlessness to the world.”
Australia is a good fit for SX with Chad Reed two-time world champ and a host of off-road racer successes, including Toby Price’s two Dakar Rally victories.
Ryan says Supercross appeals to all ages.
“It’s going to be special for fans to see the world’s best riders competing for ultimate glory,” he says.
“While we want the series to be a level above in terms of what’s happening on track, equally fan experience will be front and centre in our decision making to ensure we create memorable moments for both fans and viewers at each event.
“Supercross’ offering is unique as a dynamic sport delivered in a family friendly environment combining live action and entertainment.
“SX Global is going to bring you the best stadiums in the world, highest level of production, pyrotechnics, music, and excitement.”
The financial backing for the company will be announced next month.
The 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R receives a range of useful updates to its engine, chassis, electronics, and more.
The 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R makes no bones about its off-road prowess. If the wire-spoke 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel don’t tip-off the R’s dirt bias, the shortened windscreen and WP XPLOR suspension do. KTM has updated its top-dog off-road-ready ADV for the new model year.
A fully adjustable WP XPLOR upside-down fork still highlights the full-size ADV, but KTM developed a new separate function compression and rebound system after extensive off-road testing. It also reworked the WP XPLOR rear shock’s progressive damping system for improved bottoming resistance and greater control. Travel at both ends remains 8.7 inches but newly fitted Bridgestone AX41 tires should deliver superb grip in the dirt and sure-footed pavement performance.
The revised 1290 Super Adventure R lives up to KTM’s Ready to Race slogan with KTM Factory team-inspired livery and rally-style bodywork. A three-piece, 6.1-gallon fuel tank and twin radiators seamlessly integrate into the new bodywork for improved ergonomics. The 1,301cc V-Twin benefits from the new cooling system but also features an advanced oil circuit and thinner cases for a 3.5-pound weight savings.
A new airbox helps the LC8 engine breathe freely thanks to a vertically ribbed air filter that directs sand and dust to the bottom of the airbox. KTM mounts the 75-degree V-Twin to a revised chromoly-steel frame with a steering head that has been moved rearward by 15mm. There’s also a new aluminum subframe and a lengthened swingarm for improved stability.
The 1290 Super Adventure R’s ride modes (Street, Sport, Off-Road, and Rain) gain a 6-axis IMU and less intrusive traction control. The optional Rally mode provides the most off-road flexibility with nine levels of adjustable traction control. Users can also add KTM’s optional Rally Pack and Tech Pack that includes a quickshifter, hill-hold control, and motor-slip regulation. Off-Road ABS comes standard, however, and decreases ABS activation on the front wheel while disengaging ABS on the rear.
A new 7-inch TFT dash boasts KTM MY RIDE Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control helps riders pound the pavement on the way to new trailheads. For far-flung adventures, a waterproof compartment offers USB charging for personal devices. A new RACE ON remote keyless system, now featuring Anti-Relay Attack (ARA), allows the rider to start the bike, lock the steering, and open the gas cap without using the key.
The 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R is poised to take-on the most technical terrain yet, but pricing and availability are still TBD.
For more information or to find a KTM dealer near you, visit ktm.com.
Our on Episode 27 of the Rider Magazine Insider podcast is Steven Goode, a lifelong motorcyclist who has a has completed impressive long-distance motorcycle tours. In recent years, Steven rode 14,000 miles to the four corners of the U.S., 11,500 miles to visit all the lower 48 states, and 17,000 miles to visit nearly every national park America (read his story “One Ride, 47 National Parks” in the July 2021 issue of Rider). This past summer, Steven embarked on a 75-day, 15,000-mile ride around the country to visit the best Jewish deli in nearly every state. His journey became known as the “Great American Deli Schlep” and he raised nearly $20,000 for MAZON, a nonprofit organization that fights hunger. You can read about Steven’s deli tour in the December 2021 issue of Rider and on his blog (greatamericandelischlep.medium.com). Even though Steven’s trip is over, MAZON’s mission is not. Please consider making a donation at mazon.org/delischlep.
You can listen to Episode 27 on iTunes, Spotify, and SoundCloud, or via the Rider Magazine Insider webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.
Cruising on the all-new 2022 Honda Navi. (Photo by Drew Ruiz)
We test the 2022 Honda Navi, the latest addition to Honda’s miniMOTO lineup. Toeing the line between a twist-and-go scooter and step-over motorcycle, the latest mini borrows the fan-cooled, 109cc Single and CVT transmission from the Activa 6G and the Grom’s popular design language. And with an MSRP of just $1,807, it fits within any budget.
We spent a day cruising around Costa Mesa, California, on the Navi and found it to be a fun, user-friendly machine, the perfect gateway to the world of motorcycling.
Check out our video review:
2022 Honda Navi Specs
Base Price: $1,807 Website:powersports.honda.com Engine Type: Fan-cooled Single, SOHC w/ 2 valves Displacement: 109.2cc Bore x Stroke: 55.0mm x 55.6mm Horsepower: 7.8 hp @ 9,500 rpm Torque: 6.6 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm Transmission: Automatic CVT Final Drive: Chain Wheelbase: 50.6 in. Rake/Trail: 27.5 degrees/3.2 in. Seat Height: 30.1 in. Wet Weight: 236 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 0.9 gals.
The 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a new middleweight sport-tourer built on the Trident 660 platform. (Photos by Kingdom Creative)
When the covers were pulled off the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660, the first question that came to mind was: Why? In an increasingly cluttered adventure bike landscape, why introduce a model without off-road capability? Why challenge the category-defining Kawasaki Versys 650? Just two months after posing those questions, Triumph marque invited us to find out firsthand at the Tiger Sport 660’s global launch in Portugal.
Adventure-inspired styling may tether the Tiger to the ADV world, but under that cladding, the Sport 660 shares a lot with Triumph’s new Trident 660 platform. From the 17-inch wheels to the Nissin braking system, from the Michelin Road 5 tires to the electronics suite, Hinckley leverages much of the Trident’s core components for the new adventure sports model. Even the liquid-cooled, 12-valve, 660cc inline-Triple remains unchanged, producing 80 horsepower at 10,250 rpm and 47.2 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm (claimed, at the crank).
For sport-touring duty, the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 has a fairing and adjustable windscreen for wind protection, comfortable ergonomics, and optional saddlebags.
Despite the family resemblance, the Tiger Sport 660 is more than a naked bike in adventure clothing. Triumph still employs a tubular-steel perimeter frame but steepens the rake to 23.1 degrees. The longer and sturdier subframe accommodates optional panniers and a top box while the long-travel suspension promotes comfort and two-up touring. To the naked eye, the adventure-adjacent aesthetics set the Tiger apart, but the facelift is equal parts form and function.
Of course, the new front fairing provides more wind protection but a one-hand, height-adjustable windscreen allows riders to reduce buffeting on long road trips or amplify airflow in congested urban environs. In the lowest position, oncoming air flowed past my chest while wind danced around my helmet’s chinbar in the high setting. Results will vary for shorter and taller riders, but at 5 feet, 10 inches, the top position suited my frame best.
At 454 pounds wet with a 55.8-inch wheelbase and sporty steering geometry, the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is more than willing to lean and make quick transitions.
Dustin’s Gear: Helmet:Bell Eliminator Jacket:Alpinestars GP Plus R v3 Jacket Gloves: Alpinestars Mustang v2 Gloves Pants:Pando Moto Robby Arm 01 Jeans Boots:Dainese Persepolis Air Shoes
Triumph enhances that comfort with taller handlebars and extra distance between the seat and footpegs. Thanks to the neutral position and generously padded seat, the Sport 660 encourages all-day riding. The lengthened subframe also provides extra space in the cockpit, enabling users to scoot forward or rearward for an optimal rider triangle. Throughout the 154-mile ride aboard the Tiger, not once did my back, wrists, or knees ache, and larger riders in the group echoed those sentiments.
To keep the price below $10,000, the 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is equipped with suspension that offers only rear preload adjustable. Other than some fork dive under heavy braking, the Showa setup offers good compliance and feedback.
While I’d classify the ergos as relaxed, the handling lives up to the Sport moniker. The upright position places the rider’s knees flush against the fuel tank, providing an ideal anchor point before tip-in. That’s when the Tiger is at its best. Side-to-side transitions are swift and fluid. Steering is precise and direct. Couple that with grippy Michelin Road 5 tires and the Sport 660’s handling borders on telepathic.
Due to the 23.1-degree rake, the Sport 660 stays light on its feet, ready to dive into the next corner. On the other hand, the longer, 55.8-inch wheelbase helps maintain stability at lean. That nimble nature allows the rider to put the Tiger anywhere on the road. While the non-adjustable Showa 41mm fork and preload-adjustable Showa shock favor comfort with 5.9 inches of travel at both ends, the setup delivers sufficient support and feedback for spirit riding as well.
The 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is available in Korosi Red/Graphite (shown), Lucerne Blue/Sapphire Black, or Graphite/Sapphire Black.
The suspension’s only blemish is the fork’s soft spring, but only heavy braking exposes that minor shortcoming. In a straight line, the dual 2-piston Nissin calipers and 310mm discs up front bring the 454-pound tiger to a rapid halt. Equally unexpected, the axial master cylinder yields surprising feel and feedback when trail braking into a bend. Dual-channel ABS also increases confidence while Rain mode (in addition to the default Road mode) and switchable traction control act as safety nets for less-than-ideal conditions or technique.
Triumph adds such rider aids to favor newer riders, but the ultra-tractable 660cc inline-Triple is innately user-friendly. With 80 ponies and 47 lb-ft of torque on tap, the retrofitted 675 triple is equal parts thrill and chill. Away from a stop, the mill delivers 90% of its torque between 3,600-9,750 rpm. The linear powerband may benefit novice riders, but it doesn’t stop experienced pilots from exploiting the power potential at the top of the rev limiter.
Derived from Triumph’s tried-and-true 675 Triple, the 660cc mill in the Trident 660 and Tiger Sport 660 is tuned for user-friendly power delivery.
However, most riders won’t need to push the Sport 660 to those limits, especially when engine vibrations course through the footpegs at 8,500 rpm. Luckily, in 6th gear at 70 mph, the Tiger trots along at around 5,000 rpm. That mild-mannered quality caters to tourers, but the engine remains manageable even when the pace picks up. With usable power accessible throughout the rev range, the middleweight ADV also helps compensate for rider mistakes.
On several instances during the ride, I forgot to drop a gear – or two – going into a corner. Fortunately, the readily available torque helped pull the Tiger through the exit. Despite its accommodating demeanor, the Triple also wails up to its 10,500-rpm redline. It’s that combination of performance and practicality that makes the Sport 660 such a versatile bike. Those looking for the utmost performance can add on a bi-directional quickshifter from Triumph’s accessories catalog, but the standard unit offers smooth transitions and reliable gear engagement out of the box.
Pulling on the tubular bar behind the windscreen allows on-the-fly height adjustment.
The Tiger Sport 660 may not feature a fire-breathing engine, trick suspension, top-tier brakes, or state-of-the-art electronics, but that doesn’t stop it from becoming one of the most balanced packages on the market. Each component contributes to the 660’s end goal. The electronics enhance safety without adding complexity. The inline-Triple produces enough power for seasoned vets without scaring beginners. The suspension and brakes complement the Tiger’s mild and wild side.
I may have doubted Triumph when it introduced the new cub in its Tiger line, but after spending a full day with the Sport 660, I’m a firm believer in its worth. Whether you label it a sport-tourer, an ADV, or none of the above, the Tiger Sport 660 is undeniably well-rounded. From commuting to canyon carving to touring, Hinckley’s latest middleweight practically does it all. That’s why Triumph believes the new adventure sports model can make an impact in an increasingly cluttered adventure bike landscape – and now, I do too.
Look out Versys 650, there’s some new competition in town.
2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 Specs
Base Price: $9,295 Website:triumphmotorcycles.com Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, inline triple, DOHC w/ 4 vpc. Displacement: 660cc Bore x Stroke: 74 x 57.7mm Horsepower: 80 hp @ 8,750 rpm (claimed, at the crank) Torque: 47.2 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm (claimed, at the crank) Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch Final Drive: X-ring chain Wheelbase: 55.8 in. Rake/Trail: 23.7 degrees/3.8 in. Seat Height: 32.8 in. Wet Weight: 454 lbs. (claimed) Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gals.
A UNIQUE PROJECT TO BE UNVEILED IN FEBRUARY 2022, CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM & THE LOVE OF DESIGN
Los Angeles, 17th December 2021 – Driven by the desire to explore creativity, celebrate style and design, and have some fun doing it, Justin Bieber and Vespa today announce one of the most unexpected and exciting collaborations of 2022.
The meeting of the world’s biggest pop star and the classic Italian brand is no chance encounter. Style and design are a source of constant inspiration for Justin, while Vespa has always been close to the world of music and youth culture.
“My fans know how much I love sports: skateboarding, hockey, basketball, BMX. I’ve always been drawn to that mix of style, grace and speed,” said Justin Bieber. “I’m excited to put my spin on the iconic Italian design of Vespa.”
Stay tuned for the 2022 unveiling of an exciting new collaboration between two contemporary global icons: Justin Bieber and Vespa.
In the grand scheme of things, however, none of this mattered. The tragic loss of Jason Dupasquier was the only thing anyone was thinking about during a highly emotional, immensely sad, and incredibly tough weekend. Jason, his family, and friends continue to be at the forefront of our minds, as we race on in his memory.
For 2017, Binder remained with the team, and made big progress despite an injury – taking top 10s, points finishes and a best of fourth. In 2018, he moved to Red Bull KTM Ajo in a single rider team. However, it was a tougher than expected season until the latter races, where Binder finally earned his first podium at the Japanese GP.
Can-Am which makes three-wheeler “roadster” Spyder and Ryker motorcycles has been aiming its product and promotions toward women over the past few years.
One of the tangible results is that more than 38% of their entry level three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker owners are female.
It’s about double the number of women who ride in the USA and about three times the female involvement in motorcycling in places such as Australia and Europe.
Can-Am’s success is the envy of other motorcycle companies which are gradually releasing they should be targeting the forgotten half of the population.
Women are attracted to the Ryker
Apart from the fact that their three-wheelers are considered easier and safer to ride than two-wheeled motorcycles, a large part comes down to their specific strategy to target women called the Women of On-Road (WOOR). It’s a global initiative, but largely focusses on North America.
This past year, WOOR supported 12 distinct causes, including organised rides and rallies for women, a women’s motorcycle festival, female-focused charities, and other initiatives that support women who love to ride.
Not only has female ownership of Spyders and Rykers increased, but it has also garnered the company nearly 20 awards from local and global organisations for inclusivity and education.
Among them is recognition from the ANA Multicultural Excellence Awards, which celebrates the year’s best multicultural advertising campaigns.
Other honours include:
Can-Am On-Road Global Marketing Director Martin Ethier is understandably “thrilled”.
Women of On-Road lead Evelyne Plante says WOOR provides advice, support and inspiration for one another every day to help women overcome the barriers that prevent them from experiencing the power of riding.
“There is still a long way to go for women in the motorcycle industry, but we are proud to be making a profound impact and bring change while inspiring others,” she says.
“In 2022, we’re excited for more female-driven opportunities to come to fruition to continue our mission. We will be working hard to globalise the program, involve more of our Can-Am dealers and further connect the members of our community, both online and offline.”
MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is proud to announce MotoAmerica TV, a 24/7 free, ad-supported television network devoted to airing MotoAmerica’s racing to a worldwide audience dating back to the series’ first season in 2015. MotoAmerica TV was created in partnership with Triple-B Media, a full-service television and digital media company.
Beginning with content from the 2015 and 2016 seasons, MotoAmerica TV will air all seven years of the MotoAmerica Series as well as select live content in 2022. The channel will launch with hundreds of hours of MotoAmerica content to feed even the hungriest of MotoAmerica fans.
MotoAmerica TV is a one-stop shop for race fans to access both historic and new content from the device and platform of their choice. The channel is currently available on Distro TV, Local Now, Stremium, Zingo TV and at www.motoamerica.tv. MotoAmerica TV is now available to more than 10 million households with additional platforms expected to launch in 2022.
“We are very excited about the launch of MotoAmerica TV,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “This type of free to air access is quickly gaining in popularity. As we continue to develop arrangements with more platforms, millions of people around the world will have easy access to follow all classes of MotoAmerica racing 24/7. The content will be a mix of both historic and new racing action, continually updated and refreshed.”
”With nearly five million people tuning in to watch the furious action of the MotoAmerica Series in 2021, motorcycle racing has proven to be a must-see sport,” said Brendan Canning, Chief Commercial Officer, Triple-B Media. “With the launch of MotoAmerica TV, we plan to capture that action day in and day out, 24/7. We are beyond excited to partner with MotoAmerica on this new television network.”
