Table of contents for #424 24-05 in Just Bikes

In October, Triumph announced that production of the Thruxton, the brand’s premium café racer, will cease in 2024. To mark the end of an era for a model that’s been in the catalogue since 2016 but has roots going all the way back to 1964, Triumph will release a ‘Thruxton Final Edition’. THRUXTON RS BASE Based on the Thruxton RS, the Final Edition will be unchanged mechanically from that model. That means an ‘HP’ (High Power) Bonneville 1200cc engine - the most powerful version of the parallel twin that Triumph offer in their Modern Classic range. With maximum outputs of 77kW (103bhp) at 7,500rpm and 112Nm of torque that peaks earlier in the rev range at 4250rpm, this responsive, low-inertia SOHC engine achieves its performance via high compression pistons, along…

After a chequered history in the Australian market, US electric bike brand Zero Motorcycles are set to make a comeback, this time with Peter Stevens Motorcycles handling the distribution and retailing. Due for local release this summer, Zero’s return will include a comprehensive lineup of nine models, along with parts, accessories and apparel. “Australia’s electric vehicle demand is ramping up as the nation’s charging infrastructure rapidly expands, as does availability of exciting new products like Zero’s,” said Zero Motorcycles Director of International Expansion, Adrian O’Donoughue. “The powerful partnership between Zero Motorcycles and Peter Stevens will enable enthusiasts to access an established and reputable network of authorised dealers from coast to coast.” Zero’s range for the local re-launch will include dual-sport models: DSR/X, DSR, DS, FX; and street models: SR/S, SR/F,…

Even before he wrapped up this year’s FIM Supersport World Championship, Italy’s Nicolo Bulega had his efforts in the category rewarded with a seat at Ducati’s World Superbike team for 2024. Bulega will replace Michael Ruben Rinaldi at Aruba. it Racing – Ducati, joining Alvaro Bautista in the factory WorldSBK team. As it came a day after Jonathan’s Rea’s shock move to Yamaha, Bulega’s signing to Aruba. it Racing – Ducati WorldSK almost got overlooked, but it was reward for a dominant effort in World Supersport (WorldSSP) that saw the 24-year-old Italian wrap up this year’s championship with one round remaining. Making his WorldSSP debut last year with Aruba. it Racing (who were also making their debut in the category), Bulega turned a mediocre 2022 season into a dominant one…

With 2023 marking the 120th birthday of Harley-Davidson and the 40th Anniversary since the foundation of the Harley Owners’ Group (H.O.G.), there was twice the reason to celebrate at this year’s edition of the National H.O.G. Rally, which took place over three big days at The Bend Motorsport Park near Adelaide. Held from 22 to 24 September, the 2023 National H.O.G. Rally saw enthusiasts cover distances of up to 3,000 km, riding from as far as Mount Isa in Queensland and across the Nullarbor from Western Australia to attend. There was an international contingent for the momentous occasion, too, with everyone there to celebrate the rich legacy of the world’s most-desirable motorcycle brand. There were plenty of highlights of the 2023 Harley-Davidson National H.O.G. Rally. Here’s just a few… HOGFEST…

Ducatis proved to be the fruit of the season at Shannons Timed Online Winter Auction, thanks in part to an 11-bike consignment from a Queensland vendor that included not only classic Ducatis, but some rare and very desirable modern examples of the Italian marque, too. Held from 15 to 22 August, the Timed Online Winter Auction featured 52 motorcycles, and while the Ducatis captured most of the attention, they weren’t the only bikes bidders were keen on. A 1937 Brough Superior SS80 and 1948 Vincent-HRD Rapide Series B were consigned, along with two pre-war Matchless rarities – a Silver Arrow v-twin and Silver Hawk V4. A gaggle of classic Triumphs, two post-war Ariels, a 1956 BMW R50 outfit, rare Suzuki RE-5 rotary and a restored 1929 Indian 101 Scout were…

Following their unveiling in June, Triumph has released pricing for their Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X. The all-new LAMS motorcycles are due to arrive in Australian dealerships in early 2024. The Speed 400 will be available from $8,990 ride away, while the additional componentry on the Scrambler 400 X means its starting price is $9,990 ride away. Triumph Motorcycles Australia says the pricing for both models represents incredible value for money. Paul Stroud, Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Commercial Officer, adds: “The response to the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X has been phenomenal and we know that customers across the world have been eagerly awaiting the price. We want to make these bikes as accessible and competitive as possible, and we hope these prices will surprise and excite potential customers.”…

The biggest bombshell to hit MotoGP in years landed in October when Marc Marquez announced an early exit from his long-term contract with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Just over a week later, confirmation came that Marquez would be joining Gresini Racing MotoGP in 2024. Since entering MotoGP in 2013, Marquez has only ridden for Repsol Honda Team, achieving tremendous success on the RC213V - six world championships and innumerable category, season and individual records. But as Ducati, and to a lesser extent Aprilia, have risen to prominence, Honda has been unable to respond, at least consistently. Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) did win the Grand Prix of the Americas in April, but that’s been Honda’s only win in 2023 at time of writing. Honda went winless in 2022 and Marquez…

Ahead of this year’s Harley Owners’ Group National Rally, Harley-Davidson commissioned a one-off motorcycle - the ‘HOG40’ - to celebrate 40 years since the foundation of H.O.G. in 1983. This year’s National Rally was always going to be a big one, but the HOG40 added to the excitement in the lead up to the September event. “Our HOG40 build is a commemorative salute to all our amazing customers who put in the miles on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles,” said H-D ANZ Managing Director, Nigel Keough. “It represents 40 years of celebration for the largest riding group in the world and was designed to reflect the legacy from 1983.” Created by the team at Adelaide Harley-Davidson Bike Works, HOG40 is based on a 2023 Low Rider ST, which is already a potent…

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After more than four decades auctioning classic and collectable cars, collectable motorcycles, heritage number plates and automobilia, Shannons are dropping this side of their business to focus on their core insurance products and the Shannons Club. In an announcement made on 31 October, Shannons cited “an increasing number of competitors offering frequent and low-cost online auctions” as one of the reasons behind the decision to end their auction programme. While Shannons have been offering auctions on a quarterly basis, some competitors are holding auctions monthly and even weekly for individual vehicles. The first Shannons collectable car auction was held in Melbourne in 1981. The popularity of these traditional, in-person auction events saw an expansion into Sydney, with auctions later alternating between the two cities. Shannons also held auctions in conjunction…

Encouraging results from Remy Gardner in the second half of his debut year in the FIM Superbike World Championship has seen the Aussie retained by the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team for a second season in the category. The 25-year-old came to WorldSBK after eight full seasons of grand prix racing, where his highlight was winning the Moto2 World Championship in 2021. While it took him some time to adapt to the Yamaha R1 and the demands of production bike racing (after a career spent mostly racing prototypes), Gardner steadily improved over the 12-round season. A string of finishes either inside or just outside the top ten at the San Marino, British and Italian rounds were followed by a pair of sixth place results at the Czech round in July,…

Mooney VR46 Racing Team are one of the few two-rider teams in MotoGP who will take an unchanged rider lineup into the 2024 season, as both Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini have re-signed with the team. Despite the slim possibility of a seat with Lenovo Ducati Team on the latest Desmosedici GP24 next year (and rumours of a Repsol Honda ride for Marini). Both riders elected to remain with the Valentino Rossi-owned satellite team and their older Ducati machinery. Bezzecchi re-signed at the end of August and Marini a week later. The Italian pair, who are graduates of the VR46 Riders Academy, first rode together for Mooney VR46 Racing Team in 2022. For Bezzecchi, it was his MotoGP debut, while Marini had joined the premier class a year earlier with…

To say this year’s MotoGP Guru by Gryfyn Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix was impacted by weather was an understatement. However, despite the effect that the wind and rain had on the event - and the potential long-term future of the Australian GP - the racing was first class. Across the three days of this year’s grand prix, the difference in conditions couldn’t have been more stark. On Friday, 20 October, bright sunshine and calm conditions gave little clue of what was to come on the weekend. However, The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) and Race Direction (made up of IRTA, FIM and Dorna Sports reps) had been studying the forecast and were concerned enough over what was coming on Sunday, 22 October to make a significant change to the race…