Tag Archives: Learners

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15 gets variable valve timing

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15

Low capacity motorcycles have often been overlooked in the Australian market and also by many manufacturers over the years, but that has certainly changed of late with a slew of new high-tech offerings in this space, the latest of which to hit Australian roads is Yamaha’s new YZF-R15 that Yamaha have dubbed ‘Version 3.0’.

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15

Complete with variable valve timing and a 20 per cent boost in power over its predecessor to add a bit more bang to back up the R1 inspired sports-bike looks, Yamaha are hoping to stir the loins of a few young riders enough to welcome them into the Yamaha fold.

Engine boasts 20 per cent more power than before

Some will be sold on it from the first look and that $4799 ride away price tag should help get quite a few over the line, especially when they see that with Yamaha Motor Finance they can ride one home from only $22 a week. Despite the many improvements and big boost in power that new price is actually $700 cheaper than the list price of the outgoing model.

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15

Yamaha call their variable valve timing system VVA, Variable Valve Actuation. The high-compression cylinder head is fed via a 60 per cent larger air-box that flows through to much larger ports than before.

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15

Only a single cam actuates the four-valves, but the rocker arms on the inlet valves are shifted between lobes profiled with a duration and lift suited to low rpm situations, over to a second set of lobes that feature a more aggressive cam profile for high performance via a solenoid activated motor at a predetermined point in the rev range.


2020 Yamaha YZF-R15 Video


The frame is a new version of Yamaha’s deltabox backbone wrapped in some seriously sexy R1 inspired bodywork.

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15

The new frame has also allowed the fitment of a new internally ribbed delta-shaped swingarm and beefier 140/70-17 rear tyre on a wider four-inch ten-spoke rear rim.

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15

Front brake diameter is up 15 mm to 282 mm while at the back a 220 mm helps slow the 138 kg (wet) show. There is no ABS system fitted.

Larger front brakes

Yamaha claim much improved economy from the new engine, stating that up to 450 kilometres can be covered before filling the 11-litre tank. As this is a smaller capacity machine Yamaha give only a 12-month warranty on the YZF-R15 compared to 24 months on its larger capacity models.

Yamaha claim a fuel range of up to 450 km

While road going customers are free to get out and enjoy the improvements of the 2020 YZF-R15 right now unfortunately competitors in the ASBK Oceania Junior Cup will have to wait until next season to test their mettle in the heat of national level road race competition on the new bike.

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15


2020 Yamaha YZF-R15 Specifications

  • Engine – 155 cc single, SOHC, four-valve
  • Bore x Stroke – 58 x 58.7 mm
  • Compression Ratio – 11.6:1
  • Maximum Power – 18 hp at 10,000 rpm
  • Maximum Torque – 14.1 Nm at 8500 rpm
  • Induction – EFI
  • Front Suspension – Forks with 130 mm of travel
  • Rear Suspension – Monoshock, 97 mm of travel
  • Brakes – 282 mm (F), 220 mm (R) – No ABS
  • Tyres – 100/80-17 (F), 140/80-17 (R)
  • Lx W x H – 1990 x 725 x 815 mm
  • Seat height – 815 mm
  • Wet weight – 138 with full tank and all fluids
  • Fuel capacity – 11 litres
  • Warranty – 12 months
  • Price – $4799 ride away

2020 Yamaha YZF-R15


Yamaha YZF-R15 Images

Source: MCNews.com.au

Honda’s CMX500 upgraded and joined by new ‘S Edition’

2020 Honda CMX500 S Edition

Honda’s popular roadster come bobber styled cruiser CMX500 has been updated for 2020 and a ‘S Edition’ added into the model mix.

2020 Honda CMX500 S Edition scores a headlight cowl, black fork covers and gaiters and a diamond-stiched seat.

The CMX S Edition sports a headlight cowl, black fork covers and a stitched seat.

2020 Honda CMX500 S Edition headlight cowl

Both the S and the standard CMX500 now come with upgraded suspension via preload-adjustable nitrogen charged Showa shocks, a full LED lighting package, new instruments with gear position indicator and a slip-assist clutch.

Suspension has been upgraded on both models

The CMX retains the 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine which is now Euro5 and produces a LAMS approved 34kW at 8500rpm, while peak torque is 43.3Nm at 6000rpm.

2020 Honda CMX500 S Edition

The CMX actually draws its powerplant from the CBR500R offering generous performance both for the segment and capacity, with PGM-FI fuel injection –further optimised – and valve and ignition timings revised to focus on bottom-end torque.

2020 Honda CMX500 S Edition

Learner legal and with a very low 690 mm seat height, the easy riding CMX500 has proved very popular with Aussie motorcyclists

2020 Honda CMX500 S Edition

A removeable pillion seat continues to come standard with both models.

2020 Honda CMX500 removeable pillion seat

The 16inch front and rear wheels are retained from 2019, as is the 296mm front rotor and twin-piston caliper setup, with a single-piston rear caliper. Dunlop tyres are fitted in 130/90 -16 and 150/80 – 16 sizes. Two channel ABS is standard fitment.

Honda CMX500

The CMX will be available for an MLP of $8,599 and in three colour options: Graphite Black, Matte Jeans Blue Metallic and Matte Armoured Silver while the S Edition comes in Matte Axis Grey Metallic from $8,999.

2020 Honda CMX500

2020 Honda CMX500 Specifications

CMX500 Technical Specifications
Engine
Type Liquid­ cooled, DOHC
Engine Displacement (cm³) 471cc
No. of Valves per Cylinder 4
Bore ´ Stroke (mm) 67 x 66.8
Compression Ratio 10.7:1
Max. Power Output 34kW/8,500rpm
Max. Torque 43.3Nm/6,000rpm
Oil Capacity 3.2 litres
Fuel System
Carburation PGM­FI
Fuel Tank Capacity 11.2L
Fuel consumption 27km/litre
Electrical System
Starter Electric
Battery Capacity 12V
ACG Output 0.5kW
Drivetrain
Clutch Type Wet multiplate
Transmission Type 6­speed
Final Drive Chain
Frame
Type Steel Diamond
Chassis
Dimensions (LxWxH) mm 2,205 x 820 x 1,090
Wheelbase 1490mm
Caster Angle 28°
Trail 110
Seat Height 690mm
Ground Clearance 125mm
Kerb Weight 191kg
Turning radius 2.8m
Suspension
Type Front 41mm Telescopic forks
Type Rear Showa twin shock
Wheels
Rim Size Front 16M/C x MT3.00
Rim Size Rear 16M/C x MT3.50
Tyres Front 130/90­16M/C 67H
Tyres Rear 150/80­16M/C 71H
Brakes
ABS System Type Two channel
Instruments & Electronics
Instruments Digital
Headlight LED
Taillight LED

2020 Honda CMX500 Images

Source: MCNews.com.au

Should Hyosung return with Bobber?

Hyosung could be planning a comeback with its GV 300 S Bobber which they will sell in Europe and could usher the brand back into other markets such as Australia.

The Korean manufacturer began in 1966 and stormed into our market about 10 years ago with good quality learner-approved models and attractive pricing.

Australian importers PS Importers no longer brings them in and group marketing manager Dale McBride says they have no current plans for Hyosung.

However, he says they will monitor how the Bobber 300 goes in Europe.

Hyosung Bobber 300GV 300 S Bobber

The Korean motorcycle company has been virtually dormant for several years and is now only available in Australia for online parts.

Hyosung promised great things when they introduced their brand to the Australian market.

It was a bargain-priced product with a heart of gold and honest performance.

Hyosung return?

Hyosung Bobber 300GV 300 S Bobber

But the brand did not perform well here, which is strange since Korean car manufacturers Hyundai and Kia have taken Australian and the world by storm with their attractive, well-priced models.

Unfortunately, Hyosung has had virtually had no new models and few updates or improvements.

Until the Bobber GV300, that is.

The Hyosung range features 250cc and 650cc models with the 300cc V-twin-powered GV 300 S Bobber slotting in between.

It will have a low 710mm seat, weigh only 170kg and have only about 30hp output.

More importantly than engine size, it actually looks quite attractive ( a bit like Yamaha’s Bolt cruiser), unlike the ugly and weirdly named Aquilla cruisers.

Hyosung GV650 AquilaHyosung GV650 Aquila

However, price in Europe is €4990 (about $A8300) which is about $2500 overpriced for our market.

If it goes well in Europe and they trim some pricing, could this be the bike that returns the Korean brand to Australia?

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Top 10 motorcycles for college students

(Contributed post for our Indian college readers)

Who said that car is the best means of transportation? College students can make a choice in favor of motorbikes that provide the same speed and save you from traffic jams.

Top 10 motorbikes to consider in college

The time you spend in college is probably one of the brightest and enjoyable periods in your life. College is always about fun, parties, meeting new people, vacations, parties again and other entertainment stuff. Of course, you should not forget about studies as it is your primary goal and your future success depends on your academic performance. Being busy or lazy, you can always pay someone to do math homework or take care of your papers choosing a service based on essay writing service reviews.

However, college is the time when we are open up to discovering something new, look for adventures, burst with energy and have an urge to explore our opportunities. Here is when a two-wheeler can become a great companion in this journey due to its mobility and convenience.

Best bikes to afford in college

Delegating your assignments to reliable writing agencies that can be found looking through top essay services reviews (pay special attention to speedy paper reviews as one of the best in this field), you can devote your spare time to planning trips and increasing your popularity in college due to your new two-wheeler friend. Motorcycles are agile, convenient and very fast when it comes to speed so they can become a great solution for those who don’t like spending hours in traffic jams. Besides, they are light on pocket and can be affordable for an average college student. Just look at these models:

KTM 250 Duke and RC 250KTM 250 Duke and RC 250

  1. KTM 250 Duke. A lively and quick model, this bike comes with 24 Nm of torque and 248.8 liquid-cooled engine that allows you to handle confidently. This is a good choice if you buy a motorcycle for the first time;
  2. KTM RC 200. This model is designed specifically for those who want to become popular with the help of a motorbike. It looks gorgeous, has a perfect riding position and is also a great choice when it comes to paying off the bill. You can count on its 25.4 bhp power and 19.2 Nm torque;
  3. Yamaha YZF R 15. This is one of the most good-looking and affordable bikes when it comes to the combination of speed and money. Its version 3.0 comes with a 155 liquid-cooled engine, braking stability and 14.7 Nm torque which allows you to have an exciting ride;
  4. Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X. For a student’s budget, this model fits perfectly. Due to the blacked-out engine, it looks almost mean and aggressive and it is well contrasted with white and red colors on the fuel tank. It has assertive braking and air-cooled motor with 346cc;

    Jawa Classic Legends revivalJawa 42

  5. Jawa 42. A well-known Czech brand, Jawa is made in a neo-retro style with the matte paint scheme and complemented by the high quality with minimum chrome use. It is powered by 28 Nm torque and 293 cc engine;
  6. Bajaj Dominar 400. It is probably one of the most powerful motorcycles an average student can afford (at least, at the moment of publishing of this article). Compared to the previous models, it is not only more powerful and affordable but also faster and eats less fuel;
  7. Royal Enfield Classic 350. It can offer a loud exhaust, retro look, high quality and enjoyable rides based on the five-speed gearbox and 346 cc engine;

    Royal Enfield Classic 350Royal Enfield Classic 350

  8. Suzuki Gixxer SF. Say hello to this model as your future companion in adventures. Its design is based on older and more powerful models but it still looks good and is built with quality;
  9. Yamaha FZ-S FI (version 3.0). This model is often called the king of the streets and we are not exaggerating. The overall body of the motorcycle tells people about its power and speed and 12.8 Nm torque proves this statement;
  10. TVS Apache RTR 160 (version 4). This model can offer you enough speed without burning a hole in your wallet. It has an aggressive look and a powerful engine for all your college trips.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Meet the retro-style Bullit Bluroc 250

Bullit congers images of Steve McQueen driving a Mustang through the streets of San Francisco in the 1968 film Bullitt, or maybe the retro Bell Bullitt motorcycle helmet.

But Bullit is actually a Belgian motorcycle company with one “t” in the name (maybe to avoid copyright concerns!).

They make retro small-capacity motorcycles from 50cc that are suited to specially licensed novice riders in Europe like our Learner-Approved Motorcycle Scheme.

Bullit motorcyclesBullit motorcycles

Bullit Bluroc 250

Bullit motorcyclesBullit Bluroc 250

Their latest and biggest yet is the meagre 17kW Bluroc 250 powered by a Chinese Lifan four-stroke V-twin married to a five-speed gearbox. It’s also their first multi-cylinder product.

The bike weighs just 151kg and is claimed to have a top speed of about 125km/h. Perhaps that’s downhill, with a tailwind!

In keeping with the retro theme it comes with a single round headlight, round instrument pods, bench seat, spoked wheels and gaitered forks but with a modern monoshock rear rather than twin shocks.

We love the overall scrambler-esque style and that exhaust system looks extremely handsome.

Bullit motorcyclesBullit Bluroc 250

The Bullit Bluroc 250 will be sold throughout Europe costing £3599 (about $A7100) in British racing free (of course) and matte grey.

It reminds us of the Italian SWM range with Chinese Shineray 445.3cc single-cyllinder engines: Gran Milano cafe racer ($7990 ride away), Silver Vase scrambler ($7490) and Gran Turismo naked roadster ($7490).

We contacted the company to find out if they will be exporting outside of Europe and they said: “We do not at the moment however we are actively looking for distributors in other countries.”

However, being built in Europe, they should meet the toughest emissions and safety standards recognised around the world.

Would you like to see Bullit motorcycle imported here? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

CFMoto adds 300SR supersport

Chinese motorcycle manufacturer CFMoto will introduce its first fully faired sports model to Australia in May, the 300SR.

It is powered by a 300cc single-cylinder engine with 21kW (29hp) at 8750rpm and 23.5Nm of torque at 7250rpm.

Further details and pricing will be revealed later this month.

However, given the bargain prices of CFMoto models, it will no doubt be highly competitive.

Its main rivals are the Honda CBR300R at $5749, KTM RC390 ($5995), Suzuki GSX250R ($5790) and Yamaha YZF-R3 ($6299).

Supply of the 300SR should not be affected by the coronavirus.CFMoto 300SR

While the CFMoto factory was closed for an extra couple of weeks in January because of virus outbreak, it has reopened.

Australian importer Michael Poynton of Mojo Motorcycles says production is now “close to returning to full capacity”.

The 300SR will join the company’s first non-LAMS bike, the sexy new 700CL-X, which is due at the end of this year.

CFMoto 700CL-X SportCFMoto 700CL-X

The current Aussie line-up consists of the 150NK ($3490 ride away), 250NK ($4290), 300NK ($4990) and 650NK naked bikes, plus 650MT sports/adventure ($7490) and 650GT tourer ($8490). 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Jawa launch Perak bobber, but not for us!

One year ago Jawa Motorcycles returned to production with two neo-classic models in India and now they have released a third, the Perak bobber.

Owners Mahindra Motorcycles are only licensed by the original Czech Jawa company to make and sell the bikes in India.

The bike has been a roaring success and put a dent in domestic Royal Enfield sales. It has been beset by production delays and deliveries, but seems now on track to deliver a third model.

Jawa Perak bobber
Jawa Perak bobber

However, the factory still has no plans to export.

“We are currently not looking at any international tie-ups for exporting, sales or dealerships for Jawa Motorcycles,” Jawa tells us.

“However, we shall make a public announcement once we start exploring those avenues.”

Mahindra also has the outright ownership of BSA and had been expected to make retro-styled BSA models soon for sale around the world. However, there is no word on the brand’s resurrection just yet.

Jawa Perak

Meanwhile the Jawa Classic and Jawa 42 will next year be joined by the Perak cruiser for the Indian market.

The Classic and 42 are powered by a new 293cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine which has been styled to resemble the original air-cooled motor.

However, the Jawa Perak bobber is powered by a 334cc, four-stroke, fuel injected, single-cylinder engine producing 22kW of power and 31Nm of torque.

Jawa Perak bobber
Jawa Perak bobber

It will next year be introduced to the Classic and 42.

Indian prices are Rs 1.64 lakh for the Classic, Rs 1.55 lakh for the 42 and Rs 1.94 lakh, respectively. That’s about $A3130-$3600 ($US2280-2600, £1780-2050).Jawa Perak bobber

They would make very cool LAMS bikes for Aussies novices!

The new bobber features a solo seat, telescopic forks, monoshock rear and a mean matte black paint job, even though the name means silver in Malaysia.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Is this cheap CFMoto 300NK a good deal?

The CFMoto 300NK is the cheapest 300cc learner bike in Australia at just $4990 ride away, but how does it indeed “ride away”?

We tested the bike and found it a willing partner around town and even out on the highway.

The CFMoto 300NK is powered by a new 300cc water-cooled, single-single engine with 25kW of power in its lithe 151kg frame.CFMoto 300NK

It’s an extremely flexible little engine with capable power delivery around town and passable passing abilities on the highway where it revs at 5700rpm in sixth.

The only time it starts to run out of puff is up steep hills.

With a 12.5L tank and excellent fuel economy, you could ride this bike much more than 300km on one fill.

Smooth operatorCFMoto 300NK

The EFI engine has a balance shaft and a sixth gear to reduce vibration at highway speed.

We found that after a long ride, there was only a slight tingle in the fingers and none in the toes thanks to the rubber-topped footpegs.

There was also little vibration through the mirrors which are big and wide for plenty of good rear vision. They are no wider than the reasonably wide bars, so lane filtering is fine on this narrow bike.

The whole bike feels very narrow including the 795mm seat which makes it easy for most riders to get a foot on the ground.

The 300NK pillion seat is removable with a key and there is little space underneath. The rider seat is removable with a spanner.

This is a highly manoeuvrable motorcycle in traffic and tight spaces thanks to its smooth fuelling, light weight and narrow frame.CFMoto 300NK

The six-speed transmission is slick and faultless with no false neutrals and neutral easy to select when stopped.

Braking is handled by Spanish J Juan brake callipers and a Continental Dual Channel ABS controller.

They are strong and willing with reasonable feel in both the lever and pedal, but the front fades off under heavy braking.

Suspension may be rudimentary, but it is quite capable as the bike is so light.CFMoto 300NK

Heavier riders may have trouble and the forks gets jittery over high-frequency bumps.

I’m 183mm tall and found the riding position quite neutral, except the pegs are fairly high which cramped my legs. They could easily drop them down a bit as it has plenty of cornering clearance.

Modern featuresCFMoto 300NK

Modern features on the 300NK include a full-colour TFT instrumentation panel with convenient gearshift indicator, LED headlight, lockable fuel cap and daytime running lights.

The 300NK instruments are easy to read in most lighting conditions although they can reflect the sun’s glare at certain angles.

They are also light sensitive and change colour in a tunnel or at night.

You can also choose between a traditional analogue-style display or digital representation.

Interestingly, they include “Sport” and “Rain” engine modes, but they are not active … yet! We are told that may come in future models.

The backlit controls are basic and a bit cheap, but tactile and function fine.

We like the modern, angular styling of CFMoto’s range which has been outsourced to Kiska, the Austrian design house which is also responsible for many KTM models.

The company has close ties with KTM, making their bikes in China for the domestic market.

An interesting touch is the rear the tail which has winglets and reminds us of the Ducati Panigale!CFMoto 300NK

It only comes in solid black and we reckon it would look a whole lot better with some graphics or at least a flash of an alternate colour to alleviate the all-black paintwork.

Fit and finish is close to Japanese standard.

Conclusion

Despite our test bike developing an occasional coolant leak from an ill-fitting cap that was replaced as a precaution, we found the bike very strong and reliable.

CFMoto 300NK
Coolant leak

Novices will find it easy and enjoyable to ride and useful in most road situations.

At this bargain price, it would also make a great second bike for commuting to keep the kilometres down on your prized bike.

CFMoto 300NK tech specsCFMoto 300NK

Price $4990 ride away
Warranty 2yrs/unlimited km
Engine 292.4cc single cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, 4-valve, DOHC with balance shaft
Bore & Stroke 78mm x 61.2mm
Compression 11.3:1
Power 25kW @ 7200rpm
Torque 20.5Nm @ 8800rpm
Gearbox 6-speed
Front Suspension Upside down telescopic fork
Rear Suspension Mid positioned monoshock
Front brake 300mm disc, twin-piston caliper, ABS
Rear brake 245mm  disc, single-piston caliper, ABS
Seat 795mm
Weight 151kg
Tank 12.5 litres
Clearance 150mm

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

‘Ducati’ electric scooter for $5000

A Ducati-branded Chinese-made electric scooter will be imported by Perth-based company Vmoto through Urban Moto Imports, arriving in July at about $5000.

When we announced the Italian manufacturer had signed the unusual deal to allow Chinese Super Soco electric scooters to carry their brand, Ducati Australia said they would not be sold here.Ducati Super SOCO electric scooters

They also emphasised that the scooters were not a Ducati product, but “an electric scooter that wears Ducati’s colours, no more than that under a licensing agreement”.

However, it now appears that they will be sold here in a partnership between Urban Moto Imports and Vmoto.

The fully electric moped is based on the Super SOCO CUx model with special edition sporting Ducati livery. Ducati Super SOCO electric scooters

$5000 ‘Ducati’

Ducati Racing will also use the Super SOCO full electric range of motorcycles and scooters as their preferred “paddock transport” throughout the 2019 MotoGP series.

Super SOCO Spokesman Andy Fenwick says the special Ducati version of the CUx moped would help “add even more credibility to the SOCO range”. 

Urban Moto Imports CEO Joseph Elasmar confirms the Special Edition CUx Ducati will be available through the Super SOCO dealer network with pre-orders soon.

“We are expect pricing to be set around $5000,” he says.

Super Soco CUx

The Super Soco CUx scooter is available with four removable battery options for range of 60km to 120km from the 2700 watt maximum Bosch electric motor.

It also features a HD front camera with night vision and a G-force sensor that automatically activates the camera and sends video to a mobile phone in the event of a crash.

Other features include a high resolution dashboard, LED headlight, USB dock and smartphone connectivity that allows the rider to check the battery status.

Specifications

Brand Super Soco
Model CU
Speed 25 and 45km/h
Power 2.7kW (3.6 hp)
Weight 70 kg

The Ducati edition may vary in specification and features.

Electric noiseDucati electric mountain bike plug

The deal shows that Ducati is not shrinking away from the coming electric two-wheel revolution.

Ducati has been making noises about scooters and electrics over the past few years and has licensed two electric projects to other companies.

In 2015, there was the e-Scrambler painted in Scrambler Urban Enduro colours. It was made under licence to Ducati by Italwin, an Italian company specialising in pedal-assisted electric bicycles.

In 2017, Ducati Western Europe managing director Edouard Lotthe said they were looking at both scooters and electrics, while VW Group Chairman Matthias Mueller said Ducati would have an electric motorcycle by 2020.

In the same year the Ducati Zero futuristic design concept was produced by the Milano Scuola Politecnica di Design (Design Polytechnic School).

In 2018, Ducati unveiled its first electric mountain bike, the MIG-RR.

Ducati MIG-RR electric scooters mountain bike
Ducati electric mountain bike
And this year Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali admitted he rides a Hypermotard converted to electric power with a Zero FX powertrain and said the company is about to join the electric bike race.

“The future is electric, we’re not far from starting series production,” he said.

So there could be more electrics from Ducati soon, rather than just a licensing agreement for luxury scooters.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Hartford Classic 250 motorbike review

The Hartford Classic 250 rides into Australia on a nostalgic wave of small-capacity neo-classic motorcycles appealing to hip young among commuters.

At just $4799 plus on-road costs, it’s a bargain way to enter the market or add a second bike to your garage.

Hartford motorcycles and scooters are made in Taiwan and imported by Joe Fisher of Hartford Australia, based in Ballina.

Joe also imports the Hartford 125cc Sienna ($3399) and 300cc Vita ($6199) scooters. The Sienna comes with a one-year warranty and the Vita with a 24-month warranty.

Hartford Classic 250
Hartford Vita and Sienna scooters (All images by Jeff Gough)

He recently invited me to ride the bike and scooters over Mt Tamborine in south-east Queensland.

Classic 250Hartford Classic 250

First impression of the Classic 250 is that it looks great.

Styling is very retro and quality of parts and build is as good as bargain Japanese bikes.

If you are into customising bikes, there wouldn’t be much to do as the front and rear fenders are chopped already and the rest of the bike’s styling is spot-on.

Perhaps the only modifications I’d make is swapping to Ace bars and bar-end mirrors for a cafe racer look or MX bars and upswept pipe for a scrambler/tracker feel.

Surprisingly the Classic 250 has an easy-to-read digital single instrument dial and all LED lighting. That means headlight, indicators, brake and taillight are all bright LEDs.Hartford Classic 250

The bike also comes with front and rear discs with ABS as required on all 125cc+ motorcycles from November this year.

It is powered by an air-cooled 223cc four-stroke engine with just 13kW of power at a dizzy 9000 revs.

You have to rev it and use the gears to get the most out of the single-cylinder engine, but it will run ahead of most of the city traffic up to a claimed top speed of 111km/h.

However, the transmission is geared way too low and you quickly flick through to the fifth and final gear by 60km/h where it buzzes quite a lot.

Joe says he plans to add a tooth to the front to decrease the ratios and provide a better spread of gears.

That would decrease the buzz and mean fewer gear changes in traffic which would be handy as the cable clutch is quite heavy. However, the transmission feels as slick as most Japanese models with no false neutrals and neutral easy to find.Hartford Classic 250

At just 132kg wringing wet, it’s as light as a feather and a joy to flick around the city streets.

I wasn’t particular happy with the standard Taiwanese Duro HF308 tyres on the 18-inch wheels.

They look like classic Firestone tyres with that zig-zag tread and angular edge. That makes them flop a bit in corners which takes a bit of getting used to. They also are plasticky and grip isn’t great.

Suspension is rudimentary with soft forks that dive under braking and a hard spring with an under-damped shock, yet it all works just fine thanks to the low bike weight.

I didn’t encounter any dramas over the bumps and lumps of Mt T carrying my 80kg frame around, but a heavier rider might struggle.

Over our short ride, we didn’t get a chance to drain a tank, but the claimed economy of 2.5L/100km would provide more than 450km of range from the generous 12-litre tank.

Joe is offering a 24-month and 24,000km warranty. He hopes to have dealers in Ballina, the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Hartford scooters

Hartford Classic 250
Hartford Vita scooter

The scooters also looked like Japanese quality scooters and behaved in a similar manner.

Their prices and features make them a great bargain.

They would make a great second machine as an alternative for commuting, small grocery shopping or a quick ride to your favourite cafe.

Hartford Classic 250Hartford Classic 250

  • Price: $4799 (+ORC)
  • Warranty: 2 years/24,000km
  • Engine: 223cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke
  • Power: 12kW @ 9000rpm
  • Transmission: 5-speed, chain drive
  • Brakes: discs, ABS
  • Wet weight: 132kg
  • Wheels: 350×18; 400×18
  • Fuel tank: 12 litres
  • Economy: 2.5L/100km
  • Length: 2000mm
  • Width: 800mm
  • Height: 1070mm
  • Wheelbase: 1340mm
  • Website: https://hartfordmotorcycles.com.au/

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com