Tag Archives: Motorbike news

The 2020 Ride ADV Women’s Only Ride from Singleton to Tamworth Was a Success

Good to See

Women make up an ever-increasing percentage of the motorcycling community and there are many events and organizations that help support getting women to ride. One of them is the Ride ADV Women’s Only Adventure Ride event. Recently, there was a ride from Singleton to Tamworth.

According to MCNews, the recent ride was a success, with plenty of riders coming out to do the 500 km ride. The event saw riders of all skill levels come out from women who had no experience riding in the dirt to veterans. The youngest rider was a 17-year-old student named Abi Chadwick. She’s a great rider, though, and got her start on a PW50 at age four.

Another younger rider, Annika Mountstephens had this to say about the ride:

“It was really cruisey and super fun, I didn’t know what to expect but now I have a taste for this and maybe venturing even further off-road. I got heaps of riding tips from a great bunch of people and I’ll definitely be signing up for some dirt bike training. There were so many fun people on the ride and the Ride ADV crew made me feel welcome, I highly recommend other girls joining even if, like me, you have little to no experience!”

Norton

Future events are planned for 2021. You can check out the Ride ADV website to learn more about these upcoming events. 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Dark Year for Ducati Models

This year has been a dark one for the global motorcycle industry but it is now bouncing back and Ducati seems to be bouncing back with a thematic range of dark models.

Last month the Italian manufacturer unveiled its entry-level Scrambler 1100 Dark PRO model with matte-black paint and a cheaper price tag.

Now Ducati has unveiled three more dark models among five new variants of the XDiavel and Scrambler families in the second episode of the Ducati World Première web series.

The series is being unveiled online via YouTube because of the cancellation of the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan due to coronavirus. More new models are expected to be unveiled online over the next couple of weeks.

Ducati’s five new XDiavel and Scrambler models are expected to arrive in Australia and New Zealand in the first half of 2021 with pricing listed below:

Ride Away Price
XDiavel Dark
Dark Stealth
XDiavel Black Star
Scrambler Nightshift
Aviator Grey
Scrambler Desert Sled
Sparking Blue

Apart from the new colours, all of the 2021 XDiavel range become Euro 5, gaining 8hp in power and 2Nm in torque, with a promised smoother delivery curve.

The XDiavel Dark is totally black, while the XDiavel Black Star is a sporty mix of matt grey and black with touches of red on the head covers and suede seat.

Adding to the entry-level Scrambler 1100 Dark PRO is an 800 model called the Nightshift with plenty of dark “Aviator Grey” paint, plus straight and narrow handlebars with café racer mirrors.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Brisbane Jeff Gough fundraising

In a splash of colour for the new models, the Scrambler Desert Sled adds a “Sparking Blue” livery, with red and white details on the fuel tank and mudguards and gold rims, a tribute to the Enduro bikes of the ‘80s.

Other features are a new anti-slip seat lining, 200mm fork travel, and headlight mesh guard.

Finally, the Scrambler Icon in 2021 is bringing back the “Ducati Red” from the original 2015 launch to sit alongside the classic “62 Yellow” with a black frame and black seat.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Two Scooters Make Their Way To Honda’s 2021 Lineup

Honda has some new scooter options coming to their 2021 lineup – one being a brand new model and the other a preexisting scooter with tons of new updates for the 2021 year.

The ‘new’ model is the SH350i; a higher displacement replacement for the SH300i that is no longer in production. The entire selling point of this new scooter is the 350cc eSP+ engine found within the unit. eSP is a system Honda has developed to give owners a quieter, smoother ride. Honda has really gone out of the way to eliminate any audible discomforts with this scooter; even the start-up noise is close to silent. The eSP technology reduces noise and friction from many of the internal components and improves the overall efficiency of the engine.

Beyond the engine, the SH350i gets an updated look, USB port, Smart key, and LCD display that will be found standard on the majority of their 2021 motorcycle lineup.

The other scooter in question is the legendary PCX 125; one of the world’s most popular options found on the global marketplace. The engine of the new 2021 PCX 125 gets the eSP+ treatment as well. Taking a step back from the mechanical components of this award-winning scooter, we find a redesigned frame for weight-reduction (which allowed for more storage space under the seat. 30.4 liters to be exact), updated LED headlight assembly, and the same USB port found on the SH350i.

Scooters aren’t a huge market in North America due to a large number of highways and long-distance travel, so don’t get your hopes up on either of these models making it over the ocean for our American readers to scoop.

Currently, we have no pricing or release date scheduled for either scooter.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Kymco Has an X-ADV of Its Own

Want to Scoot Off-Road?

Honda has its X-ADV in certain markets and its new ADV-150 in others. And that seems to have kickstarted some other bike manufacturers to start doing the same kinds of bikes. Notably, Kymco.

The company showcased an adventure scooter not long ago as a concept (shown above) and now Kymco has released a teaser video announcing the arrival of a new scooter that fits this category. 

Little is known at this time. There’s not a whole lot you can see in the teaser video either. This model is designed to get off of asphalt, though, that much is clear.

The concept that the company presented was called the CV2. It was unveiled in 2017, so Kymco has had time to refine this bike into a production model.

The new scooter will be officially unveiled on the 26th, so we won’t have to wait long to see what this new scooter is all about.

2021 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT

You can check out the teaser video below. I’ll keep you posted on future announcements and releases for this new scooter.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

CFMoto Adds Electric Police Bike

China has the most electric vehicles on the road in the world so it is no wonder their police force is about to start riding CFMoto electric motorcycles.

The purpose-built 300GT-E police bike will be rolled out across police departments in many of China’s biggest cities.

It is also expected to be the basis of an electric motorcycle for the civilian masses.

CFMoto Australia importer Michael Poynton of Mojo Motorcycles says there is not much further information available for this model or the Chinese manufacturer’s “soon-to-be-launched electric sub-brand.

However he believes Australia is ready for electric commuter models, including scooters.

“We will see more models rolled out across this segment in 2021,” he says.

The 300GT-E has a top speed of 120km/h and 150km of range with fast-charging capability.

However, Michael did not know any further details about whether the range was in the city which is usually longer or on the highway.

He also doesn’t know the charging times on 240V mains power nor fast charging.

But it appears CFMoto is serious about going electric with a quarter of their 2600 workforce assigned to research and development of the new electric sub brand.

“Given the rapid rate of pace for the brand – and its recent R&D boost thanks to KTM – it makes sense that CFMOTO invests heavily in a future of sustainable, electric vehicles,” Michael says.

electric CFMoto police bike

“Beyond its police lights and sirens, the 300GT-E represents the beginning of a standalone electric sub-brand for CFMOTO in the not-too-distant future.”

The 300GT-E is powered by a water-cooled motor with a toothed belt drive and high-density lithium battery cell mid-mounted for a low centre of gravity.

Power output is just 18kW, but like most electric motors we expect it will have substantial and immediate maximum torque.

It also features onboard connectivity for police communications, cloud-based vehicle status and live location updates, built-in satellite navigation via a 7.0-inch TFT screen and keyless ignition.

electric CFmoto Police bike

Like most electric motorcycles there are three riding modes, presumably a low-powered mode for conserving charge, a commuter mode and probably a go-fast mode for police pursuits, although only up to 120km/h.

Other features include Bosch ABS, upside-down forks and monoshock, height-adjustable windscreen, 17-inch alloy wheels and LED lighting.

CFMoto also recently launched their biggest bike yet, the 1250J police and state guest escort motorcycle, which is expected to also become the basis for a civilian model.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Defenition CE 04 E-Scooter Nearing Reality

If It Doesn’t Look Weird, It’s Probably Not Futuristic

The House of Monaco is taking more steps towards completion, with the BMW Definition CE 04 in its final design stages after it was unveiled in its standard version. We currently don’t have any technical specifications available to gloss over, but the pictures are interesting, to say the least.

Have you ever seen iRobot? This looks like something you’d spot in the background of the film. The new CE 04 is the perfect blend of futurism and modern technology. This unit is more of a showcase of the technical and visual potential of the House, and I’m not qualified to say if this vehicle could ever see the halogen-lit production lines anywhere in the near future.

The Concept Link was originally teased in 2017, and this actual prototype has managed to keep the visual elements virtually the same despite having drivable features and real technology incorporated into it. This version sees the same flat batteries incorporated in the sub-floor that the concept teased, so it’s great to see some of the technological concepts being explored and realized into actual practices.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Brisbane Jeff Gough fundraising

On the visual side, this scooter has been decorated in a livery containing a Mineral White Metallic base colour with orange and flat grey accents. Many of the mechanical components were left in the open for some sort of visual juxtaposition and the front headlight assembly features two LED lower eyelids in addition to the main beams.



Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

KTM Has Swag Discounts for the Holiday Season

I Apologize in Advance for Talking About Christmas Related Thigs in November

If you were to stab a loved one with the turkey-carving knife over a heated argument regarding who builds the best motocross bikes at the Christmas dinner table, would they bleed KTM orange? If the answer is yes, you’ll be pleased to hear that KTM has gone out of their way to make your Christmas shopping easier for you with their ‘KTM Christmas Specials Gift Guide’ and up to 30% off selected KTM PowerWear apparel items.

KTM’s PowerWear apparel collection has a little something special for riders of all disciplines, whether it be street, adventure, or enduro riding. Between November 1 and December 24th, KTM’s Christmas Specials Gift Guide will have an array of products with special discounts for the holiday season when purchasing gear from any authorized KTM dealer. If the product is listed in the Christmas Specials Gift Guide, then it’s safe to assume that you should be looking at big discounts on said product.

Polos, hats, jackets, off-roading gear, mugs, bottles, stickers, and more; will all be receiving big discounts, giving an array of options when picking the perfect gift for that special KTM-loving someone. If you really love them, perhaps the full KTM armoured jacket and pant combo is the perfect give for $244.98 AUD and $195.97 AUD respectively after the 30% discount. On the other hand, if you don’t love them at all (haha) a sticker set and mug should suffice.

2021 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT

For our Australian readers, a copy of the Gift Guide tailored to your location can be found here. Happy holidays (soon).

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Electric Bike Manufacturer Delfast Reaches $2M in Sales in 2020

Electric Bikes for the Future

Based in Ukraine, Delfast has some of the most impressive e-bikes out there. These electric bikes are just short of being motorcycles and the company seems to be doing pretty well with them, having reached $2 million in sales in 2020.

Delfast recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on Fundable with the goal of $3 million. The Fundable campaign’s plan is to help the company build a new research and development center that will help Delfast reach the increasing demand for high-quality e-bikes.

Delfast saw massive jumps in sales since the pandemic. There was a 405 percent increase in sales in Q2 when compared to Q1 and a 222 percent increase in sales over the last three months. In 2019, the company did $552,000 in sales, which is a pretty far cry from the $2 million it has done in 2020.

livewire mother earth NAWA

This company came to be after a successful Kickstarter campaign that managed to raise $165,000 with the help of 75 backers. The company was founded in 2014 by Daniel Tonkopiy and Serhii Denysenko as an eco delivery service. Now Delfast has been registered by the Guinness World Records as the company that holds the greatest distance traveled on an electric bicycle—367 km on a single charge. 

Delfast is working to deliver bikes worldwide. Currently, there are riders in over 40 countries. If you’re interested in learning more about Delfast or its bikes, click here.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Distinguished Gents Move to May Ride

After the coronavirus forced the ninth annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to go virtual in September, the men’s health charity event will permanently move to May from next year.

The virtual event resulted in the number of participants and fundraising for the November Foundation being halved.
Organisers hope the shift to May for the northern hemisphere riding season will better suit riders and increase fund-raising opportunities.

“We know how important it is to physically connect with our community,” the organisers say in a press release.

“The group events of DGR are integral in celebrating together, so we’re taking a turn in 2021 and shaking things up to bring us together, sooner.”

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Brisbane Jeff Gough fundraising

Consequently, the 10th annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2021.

“The new May date will open up the riding season for many of our dapper folks in the Northern Hemisphere, and those in the Southern Hemisphere will still be able to keep relatively dry and enjoy the day,” the organisers say.

“This is a significant change that has been decided on due to overwhelming feedback from our riders and volunteer hosts from around the world, based on the impact that the weather has had on the safety of our events in recent years.”

Delfast

Last year more than 115,000 motorcycles in 678 cities hit the roads to raise a record $US5.8m.

This year the event raised $US2.74m and attracted about 56,000 motorcyclists from 171 countries.

Still, the DGR has raised more than $US25m for men’s cancer research and mental health issues since it was founded by Mark Hawwa in Sydney in 2012.

Riders can pre-register for the 2021 event now at www.gentlemansride.com.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Recall: Honda Fireblade SP Gear Fault

The rare and expensive Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is being recalled obvert a fault with gear selection.

The official notice issued by Honda Australia through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the issue could cause a crash.

“The motorcycle’s gear change pivot bolt may loosen due to repeated heavy shifting of the gears,” it says.

“In some cases, the bolt will loosen and break off, resulting in the release of the gear change pedal and a failure to change gears.

“If there is a failure to change gears while riding, this could increase the risk of an accident and injury or death to rider(s) and other road users.”

Only 20 of the $A28,000 bikes sold from June to October this year are affected and each has a unique 17-Digit ISO VIN stamped on the Frame. VINs listed at the end of this article.

Owners are urged to contact their Honda motorcycle dealer to arrange for their motorcycle to be inspected and repaired “at their earliest opportunity”, the notice says.

The bike was this year inducted into the prestigious Red Dot Design Museum in Essen, Germany, as one of the 76 best products of 2020 and a current marker in international product design.

Honda CBR1000RR-R
Honda CBR1000RR-R SP

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS ON RECALLS

Suzuki GSX-R1000R Limited Edition

Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

VINs of affected bikes:
JH2SC82B1LK000084
JH2SC82U2LK000001
JH2SC82U4LK000002
JH2SC82U6LK000003
JH2SC82U8LK000004
JH2SC82UXLK000005
JH2SC82U1LK000006
JH2SC82U3LK000007
JH2SC82U5LK000008
JH2SC82U7LK000009
JH2SC82U3LK000010
JH2SC82U5LK000011
JH2SC82U7LK000012
JH2SC82U9LK000013
JH2SC82U0LK000014
JH2SC82U2LK000015
JH2SC82U4LK000016
JH2SC82U6LK000017
JH2SC82U8LK000018
JH2SC82UXLK000019

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com