Table of contents for #425 24-06 in Just Bikes

Yamaha are set to add a new model to the XSR700 and XSR900 nakeds in their Sport Heritage range. What was presented as the ‘DB40’ prototype back in July has now been confirmed for production as the ‘XSR900 GP’, with an Australian release expected in early 2024. The XSR900 GP pays tribute to Yamaha’s GP race bikes from the 1980s and early 90s, when riders like Kenny Roberts and Wayne Rainey flew the flag for Yamaha. More specifically, the styling is influenced by the Marlboro-sponsored YZR500 with which Rainey won three successive 500ccWorld Championships from 1990. While the Marlboro connection isn’t overt on the XSR900 GP, the colours are an obvious link to that sponsor. The racing theme includes yellow race number boards on the front fairing and pillion seat…

Italy’s Axel Bassani has secured one of the most sought-after seats in the FIM Superbike World Championship after signing a deal with the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) for season 2024 and beyond. Following five seasons spent across World Supersport, Superstock 600 and Superstock 1000, Bassani stepped up to WorldSBK in 2021 with satellite Ducati team, Motocorsa Racing. While he’s yet to record a race win in WorldSBK, the Italian has achieved podiums in all three of his seasons in the category, as well as his first fastest lap this year. In the championship, Bassani finished ninth overall in 2021, seventh in 2022 and sixth this year. He’s also won WorldSBK’s Independent Rider award (for the top-placed non-factory rider) for the past two seasons. Despite finishing the 2023 season poorly after…

Jacob Roulstone will add to Australia’s presence on the Moto3 grid in 2024 after signing with Red Bull KTM Tech3 for his debut in the category. The 18-year-old from NSW will join fellow Aussie Joel Kelso, who’s been in Moto3 full-time since 2022. A past competitor in the Oceania Junior Cup here in Australia, as well as the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup series, Roulstone relocated to Europe in 2020 to get closer to grand prix racing. He’s been in the European Talent Cup, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the new FIM JuniorGP Championship since. Highlights so far include a race win and two other podiums in the 2021 edition of the European Talent Cup. Stepping up to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2022 resulted in a best…

Held over the weekend of 25-26 November, the 2023 WR250R Rally saw 38 riders tackle a variety of trials around the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. With just the right amount of rain to keep the dust away, but not too much to turn the off-road sections into skating rinks or quagmires, rally riders enjoyed stellar conditions. Conducted by Yamaha Motor Australia (YMA) partners, RideADV, the seventh edition of this annual rally for Yamaha WR250R owners was based in the motorcycle-friendly town of Wauchope (inland from Port Macquarie) and consisted of two days of loop rides taking in some of the best trails in the region. With plenty of twisty dirt and gravel roads – and tarmac kept to a minimum – riders were in heaven! Day…

Ducati are joining Triumph in entering the motocross field, with the brand from Borgo Panigale to make their competition debut in 2024. Ducati’s first ever motocross bike will be followed by a family of models to suit other off-road disciplines. While describing the decision to enter the off-road market as very challenging, Ducati adds that expanding their presence into “unexplored terrain” will, importantly, bring new, young motorcyclists to “the large community of Ducatisti”. “I am proud to announce Ducati’s entry into motocross,” said CEO Claudio Domenicali. “A totally new world for Ducati in which we want to bring our talent in designing lightweight motorcycles, with excellent components and high performance and - above all - which can excite more and more motorcyclists.” The MX project started in 2021 with…

Dates for the Australian round of the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have been confirmed, with the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit to host next year’s season opener on 23-25 February. Grand Ridge Brewery have once again signed on as naming rights sponsor, with support from the Victorian government. The opening round will present the first opportunity for fans to see the likes of Jonathan Rea, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Nicolo Bulega, Michael Rinaldi, Axel Bassani and others race in new colours, as well as the WorldSBK debuts of Andrea Iannone, Sam Lowes and Adam Norrodin. The 2024 Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round will also mark the first step in Alvaro Bautista’s attempt at a championship three-peat. WorldSBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla says the abundance of rider movements and new arrivals…

The FIM MotoGP World Championship has released a provisional calendar for 2024. With 22 rounds scheduled, all of which will include the Saturday sprint race that was introduced for the premier class this year, the 2024 MotoGP season will be the longest ever. This year, renovations to the Lusail circuit forced the Qatar round to be rescheduled, but it’ll be back in its traditional slot as the season opener in 2024, with Valencia retaining its position as the season finale. Next year’s flyaway rounds are all in similar positions to 2023, including the Australian round, which is scheduled for 18-20 October. Barring accident or injury, the 2024 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island will see Aussie representation in all three GP categories, with Jack Miller in MotoGP, Senna Agius…

Need a new motorcycle jacket for summer? Ixon’s race-inspired ‘Jackal’ is a men’s leather jacket with all the best safety and style features for warm weather riding. The Jackal comes from a brand that’s trusted by Remy Gardner, Aleix Espargaro, Brad Binder and other stars from MotoGP and World Superbikes. EXPERTISE FROM THE RACETRACK TO THE ROAD Applying what they’ve learned in MotoGP, Ixon have equipped the Jackal with perforated sections, plus porous fabric panels that combine to make the Jackal extra comfortable for summer riding. The fabric panels also stretch for ease of movement, while a fixed mesh lining is standard. STURDY CONSTRUCTION AND MAXIMUM SAFETY The Jackal’s thick, yet supple cowhide leather construction features secure stitching for strength, with CE Certified Level 2 armour in the shoulders and…

In what they’re calling a completely fresh approach to model development, KTM have announced details on their SX mini motocrossers for 2024, led by redesigned versions of the 50 SX and 65 SX, as well as an updated and improved 50 SX Factory Edition. Combining proven elements from the adult SX range with consideration for young riders’ body proportions, the MY24 50 SX and 65 SX were developed in cooperation with several international test riders. The result is an advanced new steel frame, while the subframe is a 2-piece unit, made of lightweight, fibreglass-reinforced steel. According to KTM, this new chassis allows for multiple adjustment options to suit growing juniors. The subframe, suspension, handlebar position and bodywork are now height adjustable, while seat height can be adjusted from 634mm to…

Australia will have a full-time representative on the Moto2 grid for the first time since Remy Gardner won the championship in 2021, with Senna Agius announced as part of the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP team for 2024. Under Husqvarna’s Junior GP programme, the 18-year-old Aussie won this year’s Moto2 European Championship and has achieved respectable results across several fill-in rides in Moto2 over the past two seasons. Off the back of winning the Australian Supersport 300 Championship in 2019, Agius made his way to Europe to compete in the Moto3 European Championship. After two seasons in that class, the teenager’s Moto2 grand prix debut followed in 2022. Subbing in for the injured Sam Lowes at Marc VDS Racing Team on four occasions that year, Agius achieved a best result…