Table of contents for #415 23-09 in Just Bikes

Kawasaki Motors Australia has announced an upcoming addition to the local range in the form of the ZX-4R. While further details are still to come, the small four-cylinder sportsbike will come with several features associated with larger and more expensive bikes, like multiple riding modes, traction control and smartphone connectivity. Two versions of this model will be released locally: the base ZX-4R and the ZX-4RR, with the latter adding an up-and-down quickshifter, upgraded suspension and Kawasaki Racing Team-inspired graphics. BIG BIKE STYLE Styling on the ZX-4R borrows heavily from the larger Kawasaki supersport models, with sharp angles and a forward leaning, aggressive look. The Ram Air intake above the dual headlights sets the ZX-4R apart from other 400cc models, according the Kawasaki, while the upswept muffler and compact tail design…

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has presented their rider lineup and race livery for the 2023 FIM MotoGP World Championship. For KTM’s new signing, Jack Miller, the presentation appropriately took place on Australia Day – 26 January. Miller comes to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing at the expense of Miguel Oliveira and will share a garage with Brad Binder, who has been with KTM since 2020 and achieved the Austrian brand’s first ever premier class race win. This pairing will be supported by test riders Dani Pedrosa, Mika Kallio (who’s been with KTM’s MotoGP project even before its first season in 2017) and new addition Jonas Folger. GREAT EXPECTATIONS With 21 rounds scheduled, the 2023 MotoGP season will be the longest ever. It’ll seem even longer for riders and teams…

With 2023 marking the 120th birthday of Harley-Davidson and 40 years of the Harley Owners’ Group (H.O.G.) in Australia, there’s twice the reason to celebrate at this year’s National H.O.G. Rally. The 2023 National H.O.G. Rally is scheduled for 22-24 September, with The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend in South Australia (approx. 1 hour east of Adelaide) to be the hub for three big days of activities. “The Bend is the perfect location to mark 120 years of Harley-Davidson and 40 years of HOG in Australia,” said Nigel Keough Managing Director Harley-Davidson ANZ. “It’s a central location for most members, whether you’re East or West coast, and somewhere we’ve not been before. “The facility itself is also something you have to experience to truly understand. As far as motorsport…

Ducati Lenovo Team was one of the first MotoGP teams to unveil their rider lineup and livery for the 2023 FIM MotoGP World Championship, using the traditional location of the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in northern Italy to present this year’s squad on 23 January. In 2022, Ducati won the Riders’, Teams’ and Constructors’ World Championships in a history making year that also included the Riders’, Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles in the FIM Superbike World Championship. In acknowledgement of this, both the MotoGP and WSBK teams had their official unveiling together at Madonna di Campiglio for the first time. MOTOGP – AN ALL-ITALIAN LINEUP The 2023 Ducati Lenovo Team rider lineup of Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini will bring together two proven winners. Bagnaia took seven race wins…

Barely three months after Phillip Island welcomed riders for the finale of the 2022 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, the production bike category was back at the seaside circuit for the season opener of the 2023 championship. – the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round. This year, in a “post-COVID” environment, Phillip Island returned to its traditional spot as the opening round of the season, as well as playing host to the final pre-season test. With so little time between the last Phillip Island round and this one, the form guide for riders in World Superbike (WSBK) was strong, with the past three world champions all on the grid again and aiming to add to their championship tally. Some new faces would be joining the field, though, including former MotoGP riders…

Details have been released for this year’s Historic Winton, with the 46th edition of the all-historic motorsport and motoring event to be held at Winton Motor Raceway on 27–28 May. Presented by the Austin 7 Club Inc., in association with the Historic Motorcycle Racing Association of Victoria (HMRAV), the 46th Historic Winton will showcase two-days of historic motorsport action across a range of classes that people travel far and wide to see. Classic racing bikes in action include Veteran, Class C, P3, P4, P5 and Unlimited. There’s also the Bill Luke Memorial Race and Ken Lucas Classic for P2 and P3 classes in a programme that includes 20 historic motorcycle and sidecar races across the weekend. “We are thrilled to be back again with another weekend with fun for all…

Welcome to the ‘V100 Mandello’ – the future of Moto Guzzi. Previewed in September, 2021, during Moto Guzzi’s centenary year and officially unveiled at EICMA a couple of months later, the Mandello may look traditionally “Guzzi” at first glance but it’s an all new model that is radically different in many areas, including some ‘firsts’ not only for Moto Guzzi, but also motorcycles in general. Released in European markets last October, the V100 Mandello sports tourer won’t arrive in Australia for several months, so until then, here’s a taste of what local Guzzisti can expect… For anyone with an interest in motorcycles, there’s an undeniable fascination with Moto Guzzi. What makes them so intriguing? Is it the iconic transverse v-twin engine that, from the first version of the V7 in…