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10 Motorcycles Perfect For Beginners

“A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step,” is quite a famous saying. Considering the appropriate learning curve of a new rider, we say that getting a motorcycle is probably around step 3, after step 1, taking a training course, and step 2, getting all your personal protective equipment. But, you may be asking, what motorcycle should I get?

This is one of the most asked questions in the world of new riders, by a large margin. The short answer is “Whatever you want,” but that leaves out a few very important factors that a new rider should be aware of. A supersport is not a great first bike. A 1,700 cc v-twin muscle cruiser is not a friendly bike to learn on. Even a 900cc motorcycle can be bad to learn on, especially if it’s meant to be a dual-sport adventure bike.

It is for this reason that we have put together a list of the 10 best motorcycles for beginners, broken down by category. All of the bikes listed below are perfect places to start your motorcycling career, with friendly handling characteristics, approachable power, and forgiving frames and suspension so you can learn the ins and outs of daily riding!

Honda Rebel Range (300, 500)

2021 Honda Rebel 500

Not one, but two, sport cruisers! While the 2021 Honda Rebel range welcomed the 1100 this year, the 300 and 500 series of the Rebel are still what would be considered the better beginner bikes. This is because the new 1100 uses the same engine that is in the 2021 Africa Twin, only slightly detuned, but well above what would be considered beginner-friendly power.

What makes the Honda Rebel one of the best bikes to start with if you’re wanting a cruiser is its simplicity. You don’t have 17 different riding modes to fiddle around with, the engine and transmission are proven, strong, reliable units, and the riding position (if you’re 5’11” or shorter) is very comfortable. It will also lean well into corners, has extremely forgiving suspension, and has enough get up and go to be exciting, but not dangerous.

Being a Honda, it is also very wallet-friendly. If you want to buy new, you will come in well under $7,000 for a 500, and buying used, it is fairly common to find either model in excellent condition for $4,000 or less.

Kawasaki Z400 & Z650

2021 Kawasaki Z650

Yes, we smashed together two naked bikes into one post! Both the Kawasaki Z400 and Z650 are considered some of the best nakeds on the market, and despite some pretty fierce looks, are quite easy to ride. Both are powered by bulletproof Kawasaki parallel twins, one with 399cc and 45 HP, the other with 649cc and 67 HP.

The reason these get the nod for the naked sector is that Kawasaki jams as much technology and rideability into the lower end of the Z family. Standard features are dual-zone ABS (something every beginner bike should have, honestly), an assist-and-slipper clutch to help you learn the perfect friction point without tearing your bike to pieces, a linear and controllable power curve, and supportive suspension that talks to you about what the road is doing, without trying to shatter your spine at the same time.

Both bikes are also ridiculously priced, in the best sense of the word. You are getting bikes that are quite able to be sold confidently at $7,000+ and $9,000+ each new, but the 2021 Z400 starts at $5000, and the 2021 Z650 is only $7,800! There is no knocking Kawasaki off the value-for-money throne, and if you buy used, you’ll find them even lower down on the pricing range.

Suzuki SV650A

2021 Suzuki SV650A

Anyone that knows anything about starter bikes, or has read any recommended beginner bike list on pretty much any website, ever, was expecting this one. Ever since emerging in 1999, the Suzuki SV650, including the Gladius years, has been the absolute darling of the new rider segment.

Is it the 645cc v-twin that puts out 75 HP but has a smooth, easy to control, and linear torque curve? Is it the bulletproof transmission that works without issue even if you physically throw it off a cliff? Is it the suspension that from day one was adjusted and engineered by Suzuki’s racing division, to give a supple ride with agility? In a word: Yes.

The SV650 is the kind of bike that is all things to all people. In stock trim, it is a sports naked. If you want to get a bit sportier, there is the SV650X, a cafe-racer styled naked. There is the SV650A, a partially faired sportbike with a small windscreen. Whatever path you choose, the V-twin is invincible with proper maintenance, the bike will last you well beyond your beginner seasons, and it’s also really inexpensive to maintain as well, with an extensive first- and third-party parts network that is nigh-on global in reach.

Kawasaki KLX250/KLX300

2021 Kawasaki KLX300

While 2021 has seen the removal of the venerable KLX250, to be replaced with the KLX300, both are still amazingly competent beginner dual-sport motorcycles. With the newer KLX300 being powered by a  292cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single that thumps out just about 33 HP, it is more than powerful enough to commute on most city roads, yet will also happily tear up a gravel or dirt trail on the weekends.

Unlike its new 2021 KLX300 SuperMoto brother, the KLX300 and the older KLX250 are both tuned to have usable power at almost any revs and to be predictable and controllable in its delivery. While dual-sports are famous for having the ability to lift the front wheel when suddenly fed power, Kawasaki tames that with good torque, but not too much, at lower revs, only really coming into the full powerband once you’re actually moving.

That said, by being so lightweight at just over 300 lbs soaking wet with a cinder block tied to the seat, the bike is excellent for the beginner looking to feel what a bike can do in terms of handling and cornering. This little dual-sport loves to transition from upright to a lean with vigor. As well, if you do mess up riding this little beast, and need to use the shoulder or end up on a grassy bit, as it’s a dual-sport, apply your progressive braking technique while riding upright and you’ll come to a stop without dropping the bike.

Yamaha YZF-R3

2021 Yamaha YZF-R3

Being completely serious for a moment, the Yamaha YZF-R3, much like its similar R brethren over the years, is not a bike to be taken lightly. It is, for all intents and purposes, a mini-supersport, and can demonstrate within seconds of being in the saddle why it’s quite often the bike that many start out their track day careers with. This is not to say it is overly scary, just that it is less forgiving in terms of major mistakes than many of the other bikes on this list.

From a 320cc parallel-twin, Yamaha has managed, somehow, to get it to give up 50 HP, which is almost double what any other bike in the 300cc sports segment produces. Thankfully, the R3, at least in the modern era, comes with full dual-zone ABS. Just be aware that this is a lightweight, agile, and “can get you to illegal speeds” capable bike.

As well, if you are going to pursue riding supersports as your hobby, we highly recommend checking out our Best Full-Face Helmets For Under $500 list (our own sport riders highly recommend the Shoei RF1400 or Arai Regent-X if your budget can stretch) to get an appropriate helmet, and our other gear guides to find sport riding protection to keep you safe!

Suzuki DR-Z400S/DR-Z400SM

2021 Suzuki DR-Z400SM

Suzuki, much like how Kawasaki did with their Z bikes, splits their legendary dual-sport into two important categories. The first, the DR-Z400S, is one of the longest continually produced dual-sports on the market and has earned its status as a starter bike because it is just so damned friendly to ride. If you’re looking for a bit more of a hooligan as your first bike, the DR-Z400SM is the same basic shape as the dual-sport, but the different suspension, engine tuning, and wheels and tires turn it into a supermoto that is as comfortable commuting as it is sliding out its rear tire.

Suzuki’s near-mythical 398cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single thunders out 39 HP for both bikes, but does so across a wide rev range, although there is a mid-range point that can potentially catch riders out, especially those who over-rev and accidentally dump the clutch. However, that exact same mid-range powerpoint is what makes this the perfect beginner bike. What really counts on the commute is the power to pull yourself out of a developing situation, or out of harm’s way.

By giving you a bike with enough civility at low revs to practice around a parking lot, as well as with enough grunt to get you out of dangerous situations, both the dual-sport and supermoto versions of the DR-Z are more than enough to give you years upon years of enjoyment. Many intermediate and advanced riders will hang onto their DR-Z’s because they are just that much fun to ride.

Honda CB500X

2021 Honda CB500X

To be honest, for our adventure touring recommendation, it was so close between the Honda CB500X and the Suzuki V-Strom 650 that it was almost impossible to call. What got the Honda the nod is that it delivers is power just a tiny bit more smoothly, and is more accessible to more riders because of it being a tiny bit shorter in the seat. It also has a bulletproof version of the CB500 engine range of Honda bikes, a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin with 50 HP and 32 lb-ft of torque.

A closeup of the Honda Activated 6G scooter headlight

Some adventure bikes, like those from KTM, are more geared towards getting off the asphalt and onto the dirty stuff for some fun. Others, like the CB500X, are more about being comfortable for long-distance road adventuring, without being cruisers. What makes this bike a great beginner adventure bike is the fact that it has all the get-up and go of a sportbike, the engine-sharing CBR500R, but a dead-set standard riding posture, with comfortable ergonomics and a great feel from all contact points.

The only area that ADV bikes, by their nature, have issues with is putting a foot down a stop. You might have to lean the bike a little to get the ball of your foot down properly for balance, with your right foot holding the rear brake to steady the bike, depending on how long your inseam is. Other than that, you get Honda reliability, a fun bike that can handle dirt roads around your area, and a city adventurer that can also do intercity riding without being pushed too hard.

Indian Scout Sixty

2021 Indian Scout Sixty

Despite the recommendation that American power cruisers are not great starter bikes, there is a segment of the new rider population that will not go with anything but an American cruiser. For those that are able to be mature enough to learn the ins and outs of the bike, the Indian Scout Sixty is not a bad place to start. And although it’s more of an introductory bike to Indian than a true beginner bike, approaching it with a light throttle hand and a big bucket of respect will get you on a “big burly cruiser” that is, once you’ve learned it, actually quite friendly.

While much smaller than its other Scout-model brethren, the Scout Sixty is nothing to be scoffed at. You are put low and back from the big 999cc liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin that rumbles out the soundtrack of the U.S. of freakin’ A. The v-twin gives you 78 HP and 65 lb-ft of torque, in a middleweight cruiser that weighs just north of 550 lbs.

If that seems like a lot of power, it is. This is why the light throttle hand and respect are needed. If you crank the throttle to full right away, you’ll more than likely break traction on the rear, and either end up flat on your ass, or, if moving, in a death wobble. Respect the throttle, use it progressively, and appreciate the huge torque curve, and you’ll have a motorcycle that will respect you back, giving you hours of comfortable riding.

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

2021 Harley-Davidson Iron 883

Since we have to mention the other American brand, it only seems fitting to include the main American brand, at least according to Americans. The Iron 883 is your gateway to all things Harley-Davidson, by being one of the most pared-down, simplified riding experiences from the Milwaukee brand. You get an introductory level engine in the 883cc v-twin (dubbed the Evolution Engine) that gives you 50 HP and 54 lb-ft of torque.

Harley-Davidson, after many years, realized that all of their bikes were either full-on muscle cruisers, continental cruisers, or Sportsters with too much power for a real beginner to appreciate. This is what brought about the Iron 883, and by making it pretty much an engine with controls, mid-forward pegs, and a fat rear tire, you get all the classic Harley looks, but with an engine that won’t bite your head off.

The dragster-style handlebars and controls are positioned to give you a slightly forward-leaning posture, which gives you more control of the lean and control of the bike with your legs and upper body. It also has a very forgiving transmission, allowing for good, progressive clutch friction without burning out the clutch plates, and the first two gears are long, giving you more of the rev range to build up to cruise speed. And, best of all, if you want to buy one new, it’s pretty much the only Harley model you can get for under $10,000!

Honda CRF250L/CRF300L (and Rally models)

2021 Honda CRF300L

If a dual-sport is too “dirt bike looking,” and an adventure bike is a bit too talk, say hello to the middle ground. The CRF300L Rally, as well as its non-rally counterpart, and the previous generation CRF250L and CRF250L Rally, are all great “adventure-enduro” style dual-sport bikes. These are bikes that are aimed at the fan of the Dakar Rally, who also wants to be able to ride comfortably during the week and go plowing over sand dunes on the weekends.

The CRF300L Rally comes with a new, Euro5 compliant 286cc four-stroke single that gives a decent 27 HP and 19 lb-ft of torque. That may not sound like much, but remember, this bike, even with the big 21-inch front wheel, weighs a sneeze over 300 lbs. You’d be surprised at just how spritely it will get up and go from a stop, sometimes feeling more like a sport-tourer than a dual-sport enduro.

The Rally is the more premium of the CRF300L bikes, as it comes with a decent adventure windshield, handguards, a larger fuel tank than the base model, and rubber inserts for the engine mounts to reduce vibrations while commuting. The biggest difference between the CRF300L Rally and the Kawasaki KLX300 recommended earlier is that the Honda is much more aimed at distance endurance, while the KLX300 is more of a street-going trail bike. Both are excellent choices, but if we were to head out for a day of riding in the desert, we’d take the Honda.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Honda x Motul Celebrate Successes Across The Track

Honda had a bit of fun a few weekends back – and since we love all things two-wheeled here at MotorBikeWriter, let’s take a look at the stats. 

The July 17-18 weekend showcased Honda racing teams speeding to success, thanks to a long-standing collaboration with French oil manufacturer Motul

Here’s a breakdown of how everyone is doing so far:

F.C.C. TSR Honda France racer on a bike, turning in to the track's twisties
F.C.C. TSR Honda France

FCC (Fuji Clutch Co.) TSR (Technical Sports Racing) Honda France snagged a win at the Cicuito do Estoril on the Portuguese Riviera. This was the team’s first victory for the FIM Endurance World Championship 2021 and one that showcased their partnership with Motul to a tee.

A racer from Team HRC racing down a dirt hill at the MXGP Championship
Team HRC extend their lead in the MXGP championship

Team HRC also beat the heat and took advantage of the partnership with Motul by prettying up their CRF450RW with the Motul 300V Factory Line Off Road 5W-40 4T. Results were a success, with team HRC taking first place at MXGP of The Netherlands.

National Motos put up a great fight to carve their way into the podium places
National Motos racing team carves their way into the podium

Honda’s National Motos (also supported by Motul) burned up the superstock class with a podium finish, awarding the team with the Dunlop Independent Trophy (Twice the charm!)

Tim Gasjer from Team HRC takes the overall win at the MXGP in Netherlands
Tim Gasjer from Team HRC takes the overall win at the MXGP in the Netherlands.

Thanks to Motul’s joint partnership with Honda, the Motul 300V Factory Line Racing Kit Oil 2376H 0W-30 ESTER Core®  was created with the FCC TSR Honda France racing team in mind, with the oil engineered specifically for their CBR1000RR engine.

The results are nothing short of fantastic, providing the CBR1000RR with superior power output yet maintaining the full reliability of the machine. 

Because of this excellent compatibility between bike and oil, Honda’s CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP remained reliable for over 400 laps.

A member of The EWC Honda team

Here are the more detailed specs on all of Honda’s racing team results:

FIM EWC QUALIFYING RESULTS

#5 F.C.C TSR Honda France CBR1000RR 

The Team: Josh Hook | Yuki Takahashi | Mike Di Meglio

The Results: P3 in EWC class, P3 Overall (1:39.309)

#55 National Motos CBR1000RR

The Team: Stéphane Egea | Guillaume Antiga | Enzo Boulom

The Results: P4 in Superstock class, P13 Overall (1:41.233)

FIM EWC RACE RESULTS

#5 F.C.C TSR Honda France CBR1000RR

The Team: Josh Hook | Yuki Takahashi | Mike Di Megli

The Results: P1 in EWC class, P1 Overall (417 laps completed, Fastest Lap – 1:39.801)

#55 National Motos CBR1000RR

The Team: Stéphane Egea | Guillaume Antiga | Enzo Boulom

The Results: P2 in Superstock class, P9 Overall (407 laps completed, Fastest Lap – 1:41.171)

FIM MXGP RACE RESULTS

#243 Team HRC CRF450RW

The Team: Tim Gajser | Mitch Evans

The Results: P3 in Grand Prix Race 1 (20 Points), P2 in Grand Prix Race 2 (22 Points), P1 Overall (42 Points)

Our hats off to the young racers – looking forward to seeing what Motul and Honda give us next!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Jarvis takes charge on opening 116 km Romaniacs off-road stage

2021 Red Bull Romaniacs Day Two

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Graham Jarvis has put in a winning ride on Offroad Day 1 at Red Bull Romaniacs, round four of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship. The Brit finished fastest to take over the overall race lead from Germany’s Manuel Lettenbichler with South Africa’s Wade Young third.

2021 Red Bull Romaniacs

Overnight rain and early morning mist made it a tricky start for competitors as the Gold class riders set off into the 116-kilometre-long day. While the drop in temperature was welcomed, the rain would make some of the descents increasingly slippery for those opening the course.

Third in yesterday’s Time Trial, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Alfredo Gomez was first to start Offroad Day 1, by virtue of the reversed start order from yesterday’s top three. He was followed by young Bulgarian hotshot Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna) who was eager to build on his result of second, 24 hours earlier. Time Trial winner Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young was third off the line.

Wade Young

With the top three feeling their way through the conditions, they were soon caught by KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler. But on corrected time it was Vision Track Beta’s Jonny Walker who was fastest through checkpoint 1. Together with Mario Roman (Sherco) the later start time was playing right into Walker’s hands.

For the first half of the morning the pace was high. A GPS navigational issue just before service dropped Roman back outside the top three. Jarvis began to take the reins out front, setting some of the fastest checkpoint times.

Having shaken off a few mistakes in the morning, the six-time Red Bull Romaniacs winner was now on a charge. Topping three of the day’s final five checkpoints, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider claimed a healthy three-minute-and-29-second margin of victory over Lettenbichler to bump him to the top of the overall standings.

Enjoying a solid ride throughout, Lettenbichler steered his KTM home for second, keeping relatively close to Jarvis. Despite a strong ride exiting the service point, the day didn’t quite go Young’s way and he ended it third, losing nine minutes to Jarvis.

Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) was ninth

Working their way through traffic from 11th and 12th respectively, Roman and Walker gained the most places on Offroad Day 1. Walker edged out Roman, jumping from 12th to fourth, with Roman taking fifth, just 25 seconds behind the Beta rider in the overall standings.

Michael Walkner (GASGAS) was 10th

Offroad Day 2 marks the beginning of the all-important marathon stage. Competitors will end the day in the forest where no outside assistance is allowed. Remaining fast, but preserving both rider and machine, will prove crucial in order to enjoy a relaxing night under the stars!

Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)

It was actually an eventful day. I dropped into a hole early on, got lost in the mist, but then found my rhythm and started to pick off some riders. It’s been a little bit of a surprise to win today, but I’m happy with that result because I feel like my riding is good. Yeah, tomorrow night in a tent should be interesting for an old guy like me, but I’m battling on!”

Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna)
Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)

I’m happy with that result today, I felt like I put in a solid ride. The pace of everyone up to the first service point was so high and we were all on the limit for sure. Graham rode insanely good and when he’s at his best like that, he’s tough! I feel like I’m off to a good start in Red Bull Romaniacs, tomorrow will be interesting and I’m excited for the marathon stage. We’re heading into new riding areas and with tomorrow night’s bivouac there should be good vibes at the finish. I’m excited to sleep in a tent!”

Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
Jonny Walker (Beta)

I had a good start this morning and just made a couple of little errors in the second half of the day. But they were fairly normal for a race like this. Overall, I’m happy to get a big day like this in on my Beta and I feel like I’m riding well, with more to come. There’s a long way to go, but a podium result is possible if I can keep things together – that’s the goal.”

Mario Roman (Sherco)

I’m pleased with things today. I struggled a little with setup in yesterday’s Time Trial so we changed a few things around and it seemed to work much better. Conditions this morning were slippery with the rain and fog, which came as a surprise overnight. You needed to be careful on the downhills. After a strong start, I had a GPS issue before service, so I had to retrace my tracks. But I got it fixed and was able to put another strong ride in during the second half of the day. Overall, it’s been a good start to the week and I will push again tomorrow.

Jonny Walker and Mario Roman

2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Red Bull Romaniacs: Off Road Day One
Gold Class

  1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 4:51:07
  2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 4:54:36
  3. Wade Young (Sherco) 5:17:00
  4. Jonny Walker (Beta) 5:05:01
  5. Mario Roman (Sherco) 5:05:31
  6. Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna) 5:08:38
  7. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 5:10:39
  8. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 5:13:34
  9. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 5:13:47
  10. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 5:15:07

2021 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Red Bull Romaniacs: Standings

  1. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 5:29:49
  2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 5:33:05
  3. Wade Young (Sherco) 5:37:59
  4. Jonny Walker (Beta) 5:46:05
  5. Mario Roman (Sherco) 5:46:30
  6. Teodor Kabakchiev (Husqvarna) 5:46:39
  7. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 5:49:06
  8. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 5:22:28
  9. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 5:53:57
  10. Michael Walkner (GASGAS) 5:54:46

*Results are provisional and subject to change following GPS inspection

Source: MCNews.com.au

Long Way to Wauchope | Part 6 | Rally Prep with RideADV

The Long Way to Wauchope

With Mark Battersby

View All Parts


Day 6

It was a long night of cursing myself for forgetting my mattress and I accumulated maybe four hours sleep, but that wasn’t going to curb the day’s excitement.

First job was to head off to RSM motorcycles to have new shoes fitted to the T7. Tyres seem to be in short supply and they had managed to source me a Motoz RallZ for the rear, and Greg Yager brought up a Pirelli Rally for the front.

I was impressed with the great service at RSM. I was offered a free coffee voucher for a local coffee shop, and the use of their demo Kawasaki Z1000 to get there – awesome! Good marketing? I had several people walk up to me at the coffee shop and enquire about the bike, well done RSM.

First up was setting the Tenere 700 up with appropriate shoes, then grabbing a set for myself

Upon returning to RSM I thought I’d have a look at their motocross boot selection, something I’d never owned before. Greg and Abbey had made it clear in no uncertain terms that the road riding boots I arrived in would offer little lower leg protection. The young and very skilled salesman showed me a pair of Gaerne Boots, excitedly declaring he had my size in stock and how lucky I was.

I tried them on and was convinced there is no way I could ride a motorcycle whilst wearing these medieval torture clamps. Did I mention the young lad was a good salesman? He said all the right things, “They’ll loosen up”, “They’ll last ya ten years”, “You can’t put a price on safety” etc,, etc. A quick call the Greg and he kept it simple, “Just buy ‘em.”

I relented and said to the salesman, “Okay, sold,” to which he quickly replies, “Just letting you know they aren’t cheap.” Foolishly I had seen the price on the box of a different pair of boots, $199, which seemed fair for boots. When he muttered the words, “Five – ninety – nine”, I felt air leave my lungs and my hand quickly retracted from my wallet. Once I regained consciousness, I justified the expense in my head and haggled for a better price, $550. This proved to be my best purchase of the trip, more on this later.

On the way back to the showgrounds I managed to talk my way into a booked out motel, I was so excited, no sleeping on the ground for me tonight.

It was great to meet the incoming Tenere riders, hear their stories and see how they had customised their bikes. Several riders asked about my ride so far as they had seen photos on various Facebook groups.

I’d heard the name Stephen Gall mentioned a few times by the RideADV crew, a motocross legend being five-time Australian Champion. He would be participating in the Rally as Yamaha’s ambassador and there was excitement about his arrival. I’m embarrassed to say coming from a road riding background, I’d never heard the name, but was looking forward to meeting him.

Bikes rolled in throughout the day and the RideADV team were busy at check-in with registration, collection of rider’s GPS, determining if rider were standard or advanced routes and scrutineering of bikes.

We were meeting at a local club for a welcome dinner this evening, so I headed back to my motel room to check in and prepare for dinner. It was a huge relief that we were fully supported for the rally with a massive Mercedes truck that looked like it just rolled out of Dakar, carrying our gear.

Day 6 saw scrutineering ahead of the Tenere Rally, loading up the GPS and a welcome beer!

Dinner was included as part of our registration, so needless to say there was 100 per cent attendance. It was a great social night meeting riders and of course Greg provided the official welcome offering an insight of what to expect over the next four days.

There were several prizes awarded, one being “Longest Travelled” to the rally. I was quietly confident my two thousand plus kilometre trip had me as the front runner winning maybe a cap, RideADV T-shirt or set of steak knives. I was shocked when Greg announced Teknics had donated a Stage One suspension kit – wow! Cheers guys, I can’t wait to send my suspension off for the upgrade.

We all left the club early knowing tomorrow would be a big day. I was still full of excitement on one hand, but also terrified that I was out of my depth. Too late now Mark, suck it up and get ready!


Day 6: Total km – Maybe 10? Highlight – Meeting the Tenere riders. Must do – A group ride to meet other riders.

Stay tuned for day seven..

Source: MCNews.com.au

Crutchlow to race with Petronas SRT for three rounds

Petronas SRT confirm Crutchlow call-up

Razlan Razali, Team Principal, Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team

“After looking at all the options, it was a collective decision between Yamaha and ourselves to ask Cal Crutchlow to fill in for Franco, while he recovers from surgery. Cal is a credible and experienced rider, who is currently a test rider for Yamaha. As an independent team, this is where we can really step up to help Yamaha. Cal will be able to rack up some good mileage on our M1, which should aid him with his testing and development work for Yamaha. Cal will replace Franco for the next three races and we have no real targets for him in terms of results. We will do all we can to help support him and make him feel comfortable in the team. He’s already familiar with some of the key people in the team, which helps, and I’m sure he’s up for the challenge.”

Cal Crutchlow

“It’s great to be back riding with Yamaha this year as the official test rider and to be able to step in when needed is good for all parties. I’m looking forward to riding for PETRONAS Yamaha SRT in the three Grands Prix. Obviously it’s not in the best circumstances and I wish Franco a good recovery, I hope he comes back strongly after the knee surgery. I’m sure he will because he’s been riding fantastically over the last two years.

“I think it’s difficult to set targets for these three races and it will be more about understanding the bike, as I’ve had limited riding days this year. The good thing will be that I can compare the bikes and I should be able to gather a lot of data for Yamaha. It’s a bit like being thrown in the deep end, as it’s a very competitive MotoGP class, but I’m really looking forward to it and it’s going to be good to be back on the grid.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the team in Austria, although there will be some familiar faces for me because Wilco Zeelenberg was my Team Manager in Supersport in 2009 and I actually raced against Johan Stigefelt some years ago, so it’s going to be a pleasure to be back with them.”

Crutchlow is no stranger to Yamaha MotoGP machinery, having started his premier class career with the Japanese marque in 2011 – spending three seasons aboard the Yamaha – and is now the official factory test and development rider.

Dani Pedrosa had already been confirmed as a wildcard entry for KTM in Austria.

2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar
July 7 Update

Round Date Location
Round 1 Mar-28 Qatar, Losail (night race)
Round 2 Apr-04 Doha, Losail (night race)
Round 3 Apr-18 Portugal, Portimao
Round 4 May-02 Spain, Jerez
Round 5 May-16 France, Le Mans
Round 6 May-30 Italy- Mugello
Round 7 Jun-06 Catalunya, Barcelona
Round 8 Jun-20 Germany, Sachsenring
Round 9 Jun-27 Netherlands, Assen
Round 10 Aug-8 Styria, Red Bull Ring
Round 11 Aug-15 Austria, Red Bull Ring
Round 12 Aug-29 Great Britain, Silverstone
Round 13 Sep-12 Aragon, Motorland Aragon
Round 14 Sep-19 San Marino, Misano
Round 15 Oct-03 Americas, Circuit of the Americas
Round 16 Cancelled Thailand, Chang International Circuit
Round 17 Cancelled Australia, Phillip Island
Round 17 Oct-24 Malaysia, Sepang
Round 18 Nov 7 Algarve, Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
Round 19 Nov-14 Valencia, Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Source: MCNews.com.au

CFMoto reveals 800MT pricing

CFMOTO Australia has announced the competitive pricing for its adventure motorcycle models, the 800MT Sport and 800MT Touring, which will arrive later this year.

The 800MT Sport in Starlight Black  will cost just $12,990 ride away and the up-spec Ocean Blue 800MT Touring is only $1000 more.

They will come with a three-year, unlimited kilometres warranty under CFMOTO current ‘2 plus 1’ deal.

At the heart of both bikes is KTM’s  799cc parallel twin, which produces 70kW (95hp) at 8000rpm and 88Nm at 6600rpm.

The 800MTs also have a slipper clutch, Bosch electronic fuel injection and a ride-by-wire throttle with three riding modes: rain, off-road and road.

The 800MT Sport and 800MT Touring share the same 19-litre fuel capacity, expansive rider and pillion seats, tubular steel frame, fully adjustable KYB suspension, crash bars, 825mm seat height, adjustable screen and Spanish J.Juan brakes with ABS.

The major point of differentiation between the two is in the rolling stock: cast wheels on the Sport as opposed to spoked tubeless wheels on the Touring. Wheel sizes are 19-inch front and 17-inch rear – an ideal compromise for road and off-road riding.CFMOTO 800MT

800 MT standard features:

  • A seven-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity and a navigation function (as well as complementary App);
  • Cruise control;
  • Adjustable screen;
  • Fog lights;
  • Crash bars;
  • USB and 12-volt charging; and
  • LED lights and turn signals.

800MT Touring features:

  • Tyre pressure monitoring;
  • A two-way quickshifter;
  • Handguards;
  • Alloy bashplate;
  • Steering damper; and
  • Keyless start.

CFMOTO 800MT

2022 CFMOTO 800MT Sport & 800MT Touring tech specs

ENGINE

  • Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC parallel twin
  • Capacity: 799cc
  • Bore x stroke: 88mm x 65.7mm
  • Engine management: Bosch electronic fuel injection
  • Throttle: Ride-by-wire
  • Riding modes: Rain, off-road and road

PERFORMANCE

a front right view of spy shots taken of a new KTM machine
  • Claimed maximum power: 70kW (95hp) at 8000rpm
  • Claimed maximum torque: 88Nm at 6600rpm

TRANSMISSION

  • Type: Six speed
  • Final drive: Chain
  • Clutch: Slipper

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR

  • Frame: Steel tubular
  • Front suspension: 43mm KYB upside-down fork, fully adjustable
  • Rear suspension: KYB monoshock, fully adjustable
  • Front brakes: Twin 320mm discs with J.Juan four-piston radial calipers, ABS
  • Rear brake: 260mm disc with J.Juan twin-piston caliper, ABS
  • Wheels: Sport – cast; Touring – spoked
  • Tyres: Maxxis tubeless, 110/80-19 front, 150/70-17 rear

DIMENSIONS, CAPACITIES AND TECH FEATURES

  • Claimed wet weight: 225kg
  • Seat height: 825mm
  • Ground clearance: 190mm
  • Fuel capacity: 19 litres
  • Cruise control: Yes
  • Fog lights: Yes
  • USB and 12-volt charging: Yes
  • Dashboard: Seven-inch TFT with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation function; complementary App
  • LED lights and turn signals: Yes

ADDITIONAL STANDARD FEATURES ON 800MT TOURING

  • Tyre pressure monitoring
  • Two-way quickshifter
  • Handguards
  • Alloy bashplate
  • Steering damper
  • Keyless start

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Andromeda Moto: Track-Rated Leathers From An Astronaut’s Suit

You heard right. 

Check out our newest find – a suit hailing from Andromeda Moto that not only calls for fewer cows, but also manages to maintain all of the protective properties you’d want an armored motorcycle suit to have when turning into the twisties.

A side view of the elbow of the Andromeda NearX motorcycle suit

The brainchild in question has been christened the ‘NearX’ (catchy). It is made of a material called High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) – the same stuff burrito’ed around our country’s astronauts when suited up at the International Space Station. 

a view from above of the new Andromeda NearX motorcycle suit

Rated on the Spanish company’s website as “specially designed for riders with great challenges…AAA certified (the highest level of protection) and…100% vegan”, the NearX motorcycle suit is paired with a Kevlar lining, Superfabric ceramic plates, and the obligatory top-grade body armor. 

a description of the superiority of the Andromeda NearX motorcycle suit

Each motorcycle suit is customized to the rider, features a lighter and more comfortable fit while maintaining complete rider protection…heck, they’ve even tossed in titanium for the elbows.

This baby is world-certified on any track, anywhere, anytime – and it’s a tad more friendly on the environment to boot.

Andromeda advertises that the suit uses 90 liters of water in the whole production process. The life of a cow destined for the track (ha, could you imagine) consumes as much as 51,000 liters of water by comparison. 

a man trying on the all-=new, vegan, environmentally friendly Andromeda NearX motorcycle suit

Andromeda’s next goal is to get this suit onto the MotoGP track while also providing a top-level, environmentally choice for the masses.  And at €1220/$1810.14 USD a pop, I think they’re going a decent job of things. 

A woman named Berat trying out the Andromeda Moto NearX

For more information on everything to do with motorcycle safety (such as what it takes to price top-rated motorcycle gear), make sure to head over to MotorBikeWriter’s article database – we promise you’ll find a series of topics to pique your interest.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Revolt Motors To Replace RV300 With New Budget-Friendly RV1

Revolt Motors is releasing their third motorcycle to the showroom – and it’ll be a tad more budget-friendly than its two siblings.

The India-based company made headlines back in 2019 when they released two electric motorcycles  – the RV300 and the RV400 – and succeeded in selling more than Rs 50 million ($67,1303.10 USD) worth of the models within a span of two hours.

a side view of the electric motorcycle, the RV300, from Revolt Motors
The Revolt RV300

With 2020 restrictions came several delays in the bikes’ international supply chains, harming the overall sales rates of the RV300 particularly.

Now, they’re looking to find similar successes with the more affordable Revolt RV1, which will replace the less-popular RV300 in both efficiency and power. 

a side view of the electric motorcycle, the RV400, from Revolt Motors
The Revolt RV400

The Revolt RV1 will also be the first motorbike to have all components produced in India, cutting down on the production costs. Here is a statement from the company, pulled from DriveSpark:

 “By December this year, our product will become completely make-in-India. We have been importing parts from China, but we are now focusing on every single supply from India. The manufacturing of the new bike will start from January.”

A report from Electrek estimates that the price of the RV1 will be around ₹75,000 INR, or $1,008 USD – an amazing price and one that was made possible by government incentives in the form of the ‘FAME II program.’ 

a side view of a motorcycle from Revolt Motors

What’s in store for the rest of the inventory of the RV300? 

a view of some of Roger Hammond's classic collection, which he will be auctioning off to support a new business venture, called "The Smallest Cog"

a bi-split image showing that the RV300 motorcycle from Revolt Motors will be sold to Dominos for delivery motorcycles

The Dominos fast-food chain has laid a claim on the remainder of the models. It will apparently be purchasing the remainder of the RV300 inventory, repurposing them into company machines, and discarding their current gas-powered vehicles in favor of electric-run bikes

Manufacturing of the Revolt RV1 will start January 2022, so stay tuned for the full spec updates.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Three New Benelli Motorcycles For India By End of 2021

Benelli has just announced that they will be releasing three bikes to the Indian populace by the end of 2021 – and one of them is set to grace the showroom stage tomorrow, July 29. 

The Italian company hasn’t confirmed the other two bike models. However, a report from BikeWhale speculates that the manufacturer already anticipates a release of a motorcycle called the TNT 302S – a bike capable of punching out a bit more power than the Imperiale 400, Benelli’s entry-level motorcycle, and boasting the same powertrain as the Leoncino 500 and TRK 502

The Benelli TNT 302S
The Benelli TNT 302S

Whether the TNT 302S’s release date has been moved up from December 2022 to be included in the pair of mystery bikes is yet to be seen, although the choice would contribute to the mid-power range of Benelli’s showroom and fit in line with Benelli’s other comment, that they would be ‘focusing on the 250cc-500cc segment in the near future’. 

The Benelli TNT 600i
The Benelli TNT 600i

Other reports suggest the eligible Benelli TNT 600i to be in line for a bit of an update as well. It was such a massive hit in India at the time of its release, especially given that the TNT 600i presented a reasonable price and provided the covetous ‘big bike’ aesthetic

a side view of the Benelli Imperiale 400
The Benelli Imperiale 400

Benelli will be releasing updates on the other two bikes shortly; until then, the company plans to expand its dealership network across India to support the growth of its 250cc-500cc bike segment.

Pothole roadworks road hazards inspect

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com