Issue 149

Australian Road Rider

The real ride

Australian Road Rider2 min readAutomotive
Wheels Of Time
I was talking to one of my idiot motorcycle mates just the other day. We were ruminating on our time riding bikes. Which, when you are as old as he and I, amounts to a reasonably lengthy period of time. You wouldn’t want to be hanging by the genitals
Australian Road Rider3 min readAutomotive
New And Interesting Stuff
Developed using technology derived from Ixon's extensive MotoGP program, the Gyre takes the French brand’s traditional strong styling and considers the Australian climate to develop a true all-weather jacket. Boasting a host of features, the sporty a
Australian Road Rider2 min read
Whatz New
Since their inception in 2003, Andy Strapz panniers have evolved with the demands of modern Adventure riders. The name itself nods its lid to a mix of Enduro and Adventure. Made in Melbourne from tried and crashed, 17oz Aussie, Dynaproofed canvas, th
Australian Road Rider3 min read
Life’s A Bike
Do you ever have those life-affirming moments that remind you why you got hooked on motorcycling in the first place? Well, I’m just back from a weekend full of them! Perfect weather, fast winding roads and the company of good mates will do it every t
Australian Road Rider5 min readAutomotive
Stripes Earned!
Remember the days when a big bike was 500, 650 or, bugger me, an enormous 750? Nowadays, 800cc is classified as “middle class”. But notice how all the major and some minor manufacturers are producing damn fine middle-weight bikes. They make a lot of
Australian Road Rider8 min readAutomotive
Carbon Dating
Imagine something that, fully wet, weighs about the same as a Ninja 300 (171kg) and yet has an engine punting out not 40hp like the LAMS Kwaka, but a whopping 215hp. That has carbon wheels, carbon bodywork, carbon frame, self-supporting carbon seat u
Australian Road Rider6 min read
The Best Of Britain
M’any of us of Anglo-Saxon heritage, and other born-and-bred Aussies and Kiwis, hanker to one day visit the United Kingdom. Maybe it’s something to do with the indoctrination we got at school about all things British, our convict heritage, or the fac
Australian Road Rider2 min readAutomotive
Specifications
Type: Inline four cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC Capacity: 999cc Bore x stroke: 80mm x 49.7mm Compression ratio: 13.7-13.9:1 Engine management: Electronic fuel injection: ø48mm x 4 Claimed maximum power: 215hp (158kW) at 13
Australian Road Rider4 min readAutomotive
Traveller Tested: Ktm Super Adventure S
In 2004, Austrian motorcycle company KTM turned down a sponsorship deal for Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's Long Way Round — one of the greatest marketing faux-pas in motoring history. The 2004 series, in which the actors rode from London to New
Australian Road Rider6 min read
Getting High In New England
"So, who’s been in my room?” asked Paul. “All my stuff has been moved around!” As Paul paced the hallway of the Walcha Royal Cafe, scouring each room for the imaginary culprit, the perplexed look on his face confirmed our suspicions. The former Walch
Australian Road Rider4 min readAutomotive
Bargain Superbike!
Yamaha’s flagship R1 arrived in 1998 to slot into an instant worldwide market share that existed due to a shift in consumer demand from 750 and 900cc configurations to larger capacities. It was coupled with the ability of manufacturers to deliver lig
Australian Road Rider2 min read
Top Eight Rides Of New England
Entering New England from the south at Walcha, Thunderbolt’s Way tops this list for its wide-open vistas of rolling, impossibly green farmland and its tight bends across the Great Dividing Range. It passes from the mid-north coast hinterland at Glouc
Australian Road Rider4 min readFashion
Testing, Testing
Look. There’s not much point in me applying a whole bunch of thought or time into trying to look good. I’m not exactly an 8x10 glossy (ask your folks, kids), and I’m not beating off potential suitors with a cricket bat. But... a lot of motorcycle jea
Australian Road Rider6 min readAutomotive
Coming To Grips
Yep. That’s what I said to when I first saw it. WTF? Is this someone’s idea of a bad joke? I mean, this thing has a head only a mother could love. And is it a motorcycle? Is it a trike? Yeah, I hear ya. For starters, I agree that it’s aesthetically c
Australian Road Rider4 min readAutomotive
Harley’s Hero
When Harley-Davidson released the water-cooled V-Rod back in 2001, it sent a message that the motor company knew it needed a “power cruiser”. A technically advanced hero bike. Everything from the engine to the overall design of the V-Rod was a pretty
Australian Road Rider2 min read
Winner
G'day Greg, Re. Letters to the Editor, ARR #147 — “Pub Perfect” by Kevin Ryan. Now I know that extensive touring in any given place can become somewhat of a blur and hence, the address given for the photo in the magazine is not correct. A mate and I
Australian Road Rider1 min readAutomotive
New Cruiser Stuff
A tubeless tyre puncture repair kit that fits under the seat of most bikes can be the difference between a good day riding, and a trip home in the trailer. Surprising to many is that the Cargol Twist ‘n’ Go kits are economically priced. They start fr
Australian Road Rider1 min readAutomotive
That Bike Of Yours
It's a top view from Mt Tamborine on my 2015 Tiger Explorer, looking west towards Canungra and Beaudesert. Dave Spratt These photos were taken during a recent return trip I made with my son-in-law Tristan from Adelaide to Apollo Bay. They prove tha
Australian Road Rider1 min read
Diferent Strokes
Dear ARR, Can you guys settle an argument for me? I reckon the two-stroke GP 500s were infinitely harder to ride than the current crop of boring, four-stroke MotoGP things posing as fire-breathing animals. I reckon I could ride one fast, such is the
Australian Road Rider5 min readAutomotive
Readers Rite
Don’t forget to write! We mean it. We love to hear from you and everyone else does too; these pages are among the most popular in the magazine. Preferably, keep letters under 300 words so we can fit more in, though we will allow the odd exception wit

Australian Road Rider

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