The Australian Touratech open day is back after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic.
It will be held next weekend (18 December 2021) at Touratech Australia’s newly renovated Adventure Centre at Carboor, in Victoria’s beautiful and adventurous high country.
In the past, the event has been held in Myrtleford or Bright, Victoria.
Touratech adventure riding experts give tips about planning, riding, equipment or bike issues.
Coffee and lunch are included, but you must book your attendance for catering byclicking here.
They have also arranged a couple of interesting routes to get you to the venue on some of the region’s best roads – one from the north starting in Albury, the other from the south starting in Mansfield.
Specialised routes to the Aussie Touratech Open Day:
Back in black
The famed German motorcycle accessory company was bailed out of a voluntary insolvency in 2017 after an increased demand in sales saw them unable to fulfil many orders – attributed mostly to the late completion of their new factory and showroom.
The new owner is interior design and accessory manufacturer Happich who took over on January 1, 2018.
With the introduction of the 390 Adventure in 2020, KTM established a new benchmark for the small-capacity adventure category. While many of the 390’s competitors spring for budget-conscious componentry, the House of Mattighofen equipped the ADV to dominate the trail and the tarmac. It builds on those firm foundations with select updates on the 2022 KTM 390 Adventure.
KTM’s liquid-cooled, 373.2cc single-cylinder returns to power the adventure bike in 2022, but new Street and Off-Road traction control modes keep the thumper’s power pulses in check in all situations and conditions. In Off-Road mode, the system allows more rear wheel slip for traversing tricky terrain. User-friendly features like cornering ABS and a slipper clutch further cater to new riders while the optional quickshifter appeals to the performance-minded.
KTM packs all that performance and tech into the same lightweight trellis frame suspended by a WP APEX inverted fork and WP APEX shock absorber. The 43mm front end offers 6.7 inches of travel along with compression and rebound damping adjustments. The monoshock provides 6.9 inches of rear wheel travel and users can dial the spring preload and rebound. To take on the toughest trails, KTM outfits the 390 Adventure with a stronger five-spoke 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel. Shod in Continental TKC 70 tires, the new wheelset boasts the best blend of performance in the dirt and on the asphalt.
The Bybre 4-piston radially-mounted front caliper mated to a 320mm disc and a 2-piston floating rear clamper paired to a 260mm rotor completes the chassis. In addition to cornering ABS, the Bybre system also touts Off-Road ABS, which deactivates ABS on the rear wheel and reduces intervention on the front. A windscreen, tapered aluminum handlebars, and an ergonomically-shaped 3.8-gallon tank enhance comfort while LED lighting, a 5-inch TFT display, and Bluetooth connectivity provide modern convenience.
Fresh new graphics align the 390 Adventure with KTM’s Dakar-winning Factory Rally team. Available in black and blue liveries with orange accents, the new rally-inspired colorways relay the small-bore ADV’s off-road ambitions. The 2022 KTM 390 Adventure will hit showrooms in February 2022. KTM hasn’t announced pricing yet, but we expect a reasonable increase over the 2021 model’s $6,199 MSRP.
For more information or to find a KTM dealer near you, visit ktm.com.
Among the many offers, there was one from Yamaha Motor Racing for an assistant to the Managing Director, requiring someone who could speak Italian and Spanish, as well as English. Although she knew she would be the ideal candidate, Raffaella continued her search as she did not know much about the world of motorbikes. Two weeks later, the same ad appeared again among her searches, so she decided to apply: “I called the agency in charge of the ad, but it was too late,” says Raffaella, who, despite the first refusal, insisted.
After an all-too-long halt due to unprecedented times, The Isle of Man TT is back – and we’re told that TT legend John McGuinness (second only to Dunlop himself when it comes to winning the dang thing) will be running with Honda for the 2022 season.
McGuiness already has a neat 23 wins under his belt – though they’re not all with Honda.
The report from AutoSport states that the legendary racer “was due to contest the previous two TTs with Bournemouth Kawasaki, having quit Norton following a woeful comeback in 2019 – in which he failed to finish both Superbike races through mechanical issues.”
The others – 16 wins – were for Honda, with 12 of those times on the absolutely bonkers CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
Regardless, we’re ready to celebrate the gent. Set for his 100th TT start this year at the age of 50, the report states that “McGuinness will ride the all-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland and at the TT in 2022 in the Superbike and Superstock classes.”
“What can I say really, it’s like coming back home to the family,” McGuinness says in the report from AutoSport.
“I’ve been in talks for a while with Neil [Fletcher, Honda UK’s head of motorcycles] and Harv [Beltran, team manager] and it’s just something that feels right; it’s the 30th anniversary of the Fireblade, I’ll be 50 years old and also celebrating my 100th TT start, so it feels like it’s meant to be.”
“I’ve enjoyed a lot of success on the roads with the Honda and worked with Harv back in the day with HM Plant Honda, so I’m looking forward to getting back into the set-up and getting going.”
“I had a little go on the Fireblade earlier this year and was impressed with it on-track, so looking forward to getting on the roads and seeing how it goes.”
“It’s going to be a special year with everything going on and also just getting back to the North West 200 and the TT and everyone racing there again – I can’t wait to get stuck in!”
Standby for the start of the event on the 29th of May, scheduled to run until the 10th of June; in the meantime, be sure to check out other recent news from our archives, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.
Yamaha Europe has just partnered with Crescent Racing to reveal a Special Edition WorldSBK R1 replica – and the extremely exclusive batch of 21 units are all set for the lucky garage of whoever gets there first.
The report from VisorDown states that the bikes are all signed by (and created in commemoration of) Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, winner of the 2021 WorldSBK Championship for Yamaha.
If you’re thinking of getting your hands on one of these beauties, expect to place down a deposit of £500.00 – a reasonable sum, made the better by the following list of perks you’ll be getting with the bike itself:
A badge proving the ‘technician-signed build identification’ of your unit
A framed ‘limited edition certificate’, autographed by Razgatlıoğlu himself as well as the Team Principal Paul Denning – including the edition number alongside the usual VIN number and buyer details.
Two VIP hospitality passes to your choice of 2022 WorldSBK events, where you will be “a VIP guest of the team with pit-box visit and the opportunity to spend time with Razgatlıoğlu,” according to the report.
A superbike set up to your personal specifications, with an entire day devoted to one-on-one training with either Crescent Yamaha’s James Hillier OR Niall Mackenzie (“UK circuit only; overseas set up and training by arrangement”)
An autographed article of riding equipment that Razgatlıoğlu used when he won the 2021 WorldSBK Championship.
Be sure to visit the official website of Crescent Racing to toy with that measly £500.00…if we’re talking bang-for-buck, it’s worth it.
Triumph has just introduced their newly refreshed Tiger 1200 line – and they’re gunning for the big competition with their all-new 30-liter Explorers.
Let’s get into it.
Triumph hasn’t updated their Tiger 1200 in a hot minute – and with big fish like the Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro and the BMW R1250GSA sporting hosts of goods like advanced electronics, ergonomics, and a fantastic fuel capacity, it’s natural for Triumph to want to stir their toes in the pool with the rest of the ADV blokes.
To that effect, Triumph’s all-new Explorer variants carry a very nice 30-liter fuel capacity, with both machines featuring six Ride Modes: Ride Modes: Road, Rain, Sport, Rider-configurable, Off-Road, and Off-Road Pro.
When it comes to power, Triumph did the Tiger 1200 range a solid with the new ‘T-plane’ crank design, installed to improve drive pulse better. The inline triple itself also has, according to the press release, undergone a bit of a change, dropping in power from 1215cc to 1160cc; despite that, the 1200 range sports a lovely increase in power from 139bhp to 148bhp, and an increase also in torque from 90lb-ft to 95lb-ft.
How, do you ask?
A dedicated diet, mostly.
The bike’s overall weight, depending on the variant, now registers between 240kg and 261kg, which puts the weight of the beasties around 25kg lighter.
“Paired with the new engine is a redesigned shaft drive that’s 1.5kg lighter than the old unit,” comments an article from MCN.
“The big chunks [of weight difference] have come from the swingarm and frame, which total 5.4kg lighter, in part thanks to a bolt-on aluminum subframe, but generally they’ve just trimmed the fat by ditching items that weren’t in huge demand such as the electrically adjusted screen.”
The new split radiator also helps to balance everything out, pushing the engine further forward in the chassis for better maneuverability.
Here’s a list of further perks for the range, according to the press release:
New category-leading Brembo Stylema® monobloc brakes, plus optimized cornering ABS with IMU
New rider ergonomics “designed for a comfortable and stable ride
All-new Triumph Blind Spot Radar System, developed in partnership with Continental
All-new keyless system, including ignition, steering lock, and fuel cap
Optimized Cornering Traction Control with IMU
All-new 7” TFT instruments with integrated ‘My Triumph’ Connectivity System
All-new Showa semi-active suspension set-up for dynamic rider control (longer travel)
All-new LED lighting with DRL, plus Adaptive Cornering Lights (not available on GT)
Hill Hold (not available on GT)
New twin radiator design and a minimal new silencer
New rider ergonomics with tailored bar and peg positions
All-new bodywork
Premium detailing and finish
New color schemes and graphics for each family
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
The GT Explorer and Rally Explorer also come with a little list of extra (as stated by Triumph’s press release):
Six Ride Modes (Road, Rain, Sport, Rider-configurable, Off-Road, and Off-Road Pro)
The Cup will return to the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, Le Mans, the TT Circuit Assen, the Red Bull Ring and Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli next season, as well as visit two new tracks: the classic Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello and the KymiRing in Finland. With every event a double header, another electrifying season of competition is guaranteed!
“That’s why I was always quick in conditions straight away, I was able to adapt to things quickly, is because of my lack of pride on the bike. I was the first to admit back in the box when I’d made a mistake rather than to blame the bike for things, that allowed us to go further too. But yeah, rather than watching another bike or rider and going ‘the only reason they can do that is because of the bike’ or anything like that, it was never greener on the other side of the garage, it was like ‘right, what do we have to do to match them through that bit’. Not necessarily beat them, but at least match them in the points where I was weak. I was always willing to learn from others, and things like that. And that for me is pride. If you have too much pride then you’re not able to learn, able to adapt and I think you’ll find a bit of a roadblock.”
The award-winning Australian MotoCAP website has issued safety and comfort ratings including vital waterproof abilities for two jackets and eight pairs of pants as we head into a wet summer.
With a La Niña wet weather system dominating the Eastern states this summer, riders will be interested in assessing the waterproofing abilities of their gear.
MotoCAP provides those details on all their testing.
In the new round of testing they found the MotoDry Eco-Therm jacket provided good protection in wet weather, with a water protection score of 8 out of 10 and a protection rating of 2 stars out of five.
MotoDry Eco-Therm jacket
The two pair of pants — Draggin NextGen and Rev’It Lombard RF Products— had previously been tested and rated.
However, since they have been on the market for more than three years, they were reassessed to identify any potential changes in production that may affect their ratings.
The new ratings for jackets can be viewed here. The new ratings for pants can be viewed here.
This was based on evidence from crash injury research and the test protocols of the current industry standard.
Deakin Uni Institute for Frontier Materials Senior Research Fellow and Honda GB400 rider Chris Hurren said the changes were the result of “ongoing tweaking of the system based on new research conducted by Deakin University”.
MotoCAP testing
All gear tested and rated by MotoCAP is bought covertly.
In 2019, MotoCAP, has won a Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) road safety award.
MotoCAP is a partnership between Transport for NSW, State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), VicRoads, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), Lifetime Support Authority (LSA), the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Western Australian Police: Road Safety Commission, Department of State Growth, Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Australian Motorcycle Council and Accident Compensation Corporation in New Zealand.
Testing is carried out by the Deakin University Institute for Frontier Materials on behalf of the MotoCAP partners.
All gear rated so far has been obtained through a secretive buying system to guarantee integrity.
Australia’s first electric motorcycle company, Fonzarelli, has reached the modest milestone of selling 100 of its electric multi-purpose NKD electric motorbikes.
It’s nothing compared with the big motorcycle companies, but this boutique electric motorcycle company is certainly starting to make its name known after launching in late 2019.
FONZ Moto, as it is now called, is now available in all of Australia’s States and Territories.
Their NKD X and NKD S models are locally designed and produced after a move from their original Adelaide production plans back to Redfern in Sydney due to the pandemic.
Founder Michelle Nazzari says the decision to bring our production plans closer to home and ramp up their ‘urban micro factory’ meant they could make up to 20 motorbikes a month.
She says they are now “playing catch-up so we’re now looking to expand to a larger facility in 2022”.
There are two NKD models:
NKDs (100km/h top speed, 100km range) from $10,990;
NKDx (100km/h top speed, 200km range) from $16,990.
The NKD is powered by a mid-drive brushless motor producing 9.6kW of power and 56Nm of torque.
You can also buy optional fat knobby tyres so it can do some off-road work.
Fonzarelli NKD
The Panasonic Lithium-Ion 3.5kWh inbuilt battery can be charged via the onboard AC mains charger from flat to 100% in about five hours.
Michelle points out that NSW and the ACT have abolished stamp duty for electric motorcycles and electric scooters this year.
“While we know all states and territories operate slightly differently, it’s encouraging to see growing support for two-wheeled EVs,” she says.
FONZ sources as much as possible from local suppliers within a 200km of their premises to minimise the environmental footprint in the NKD manufacturing process.
“There’s a lot of greenwashing these days. It was important to us to source locally and get the certifications to show that it is possible to manufacture this type of product in Australia,” she says.
Locally-made also means that each bike is custom built to spec and the multi-award winning NKD series has been certified by the Australian Made campaign.
Michelle admits that NKD is not for everyone.
“There are many differing tastes out there but this plucky little beast is certainly turning heads wherever it goes,” she says.
“What’s particularly great is the endorsement we’re getting from people who truly know their stuff when it comes to performance.”
Michelle Nazzari and Adam Kaplan with the NKD S and X models
Former Australian racing car driver, Adam Kaplan, says his NKD is the perfect urban assault vehicle for his lifestyle in Noosa.
“The power delivery makes my pillion and I laugh every time we give it a squirt, and it’s sure footed and stable to ride and I love overtaking unsuspecting vehicles uphill with 2 up,” Adam says.
Kaplan rides the NKD X with a carbon fibre body kit. He wanted the ability to be able to carry his surfboard to the beach so FONZ designed an integrated surf rack system, which later became a popular option for other NKD owners.
Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
Back in black
