Table of contents for Just Bikes #453 26-FEB in Just Bikes

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Almost a year after Australian pricing was announced, Ducati’s ‘Desmo450 MX’ has finally reached local dealerships. To coincide with the Desmo450 MX’s arrival, Ducati Australia have announced a partnership with FMX athlete, Corey Creed, who will campaign the new bike in X Games and freestyle events. “This motorcycle embodies our racing DNA, advanced engineering and relentless focus on performance,” said Sergi Canovas, Managing Director Ducati Australia and New Zealand. “We are proud to introduce this bike to Australian audiences with Corey Creed and to work alongside Motorcycles R Us in bringing this project to life. “Partnering with Corey Creed allows us to showcase the Desmo450 MX in an environment where innovation, skill and passion are pushed to the absolute limit.” Unique amongst MX bikes in its use of desmodromic valve…

A remarkable finish to the 2026 Dakar Rally saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides take his first victory in the 13-day 8,000+km marathon, along with KTM’s 21st win. Trailing Monster Energy Honda HRC’s Ricky Brabec going into the final stage, a small navigational error from Brabec allowed Benavides to take the win – by just 2 seconds. Both Honda and KTM brought strong, experienced squads to this year’s Dakar, with KTM’s lineup led by Australia’s Daniel Sanders, Benavides and fast youngster, Edgar Canet. The HRC team included two-time winner Brabec, plus Skylar Howes, Adrien van Beveren and Tosha Schareina. Hero Motorcycles and Sherco also fielded factory entries, but the battle for victory in the Rally GP class was expected to come down to Honda and KTM, and that’s…

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Sales of new motorcycles in Australia fell again in 2025, according to data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) in January. Despite 2025 being the fourth consecutive year of falling sales, one positive to be taken from the FCAI data is that the 2024-2025 decline was less than from 2023 to 2024. Off-road bikes increased fractionally compared to 2024, while scooter sales improved noticeably. Overall, 92,967 new motorcycles, scooters and OHVs were sold in Australia in 2025. But it should be noted, as with previous years, that 2025’s total refers to bikes sold by FCAI members only (more on that below). Last year’s total represents a fall of 1.34 per cent from 2024’s total of 94,224. The year-on-year decline is less than from 2023 to 2024, when…

Australia’s Jacob Roulstone is keeping his grand prix dreams alive with a shift to the Moto2 European Championship this year. After being dropped by the Red Bull KTM Tech3 Moto3 team at the end of 2025, the 20-year-old from NSW joins the European series with Team Ciatti (Boscoscuro), whose past riding roster has included Fermin Aldeguer, Yari Montella and Unai Orradre. “The opportunity to progress to a Moto2 machine is one I am definitely ready for and doing it in partnership with an experienced and professional team like Team Ciatti is fantastic,” Roulstone said. “It’s the next ‘natural’ step for me. “While I’m under no illusions in terms of the challenge ahead, I’m equally confident we can have a decent rookie season.” In addition to the invaluable experience it’ll provide,…

Since Triumph introduced their all-new 400 models at the end of 2023, there’s been speculation as to how and when they would expand the platform. What started with the Speed 400 naked and off-road inspired Scrambler 400 X was joined by the more rugged Scrambler 400 XC last year. Now, there are two new members of the 400 family – the Tracker 400 and Thruxton 400. Announced in December, the Tracker 400 and Thruxton 400 are both LAMS-approved singles, like their siblings, but bring individual styling, specific chassis tuning and more engine power. Of the two new models, the flat track-inspired Tracker 400 breaks new ground, as Triumph has never taken this design route with any of their Modern Classic models. The Thruxton 400 brings obvious café racer cues and…

As it enters its tenth year in business, Savic Motorcycles has announced the appointment of Marc Alexander to the role of CEO, which follows the Australian electric motorcycle manufacturer securing $2M in investment funding in 2025. Company founder Dennis Savic will remain involved at a strategic level and on Savic’s Board of Directors. Alexander brings 25 years of experience in EV systems, autonomous platforms, IoT, consumer & automotive technology, and successful global scale-ups. Having already implemented numerous improvements in recent months, Alexander joins at a pivotal time for Savic, as the company prepares for international growth and the upscaling of its development and manufacturing capability. “I’ve long admired Dennis’s tenacity and drive to bring his vision to life,” Alexander said. “To now be entrusted to take these foundations and build…

In what will be a pivotal year for the mi-bike motorcycle insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), DesmoSport Ducati are combining experience with youth. Veteran rider Anthony ‘Ant’ West will join incumbent young New Zealander, Luca Durning for what will be a two-part 2026 season. Third in last year’s ASBK Championship, 44-year-old West replaces Broc Pearson, who finished seventh on the DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R last year. “It’s hard to argue with Westy’s experience, but it’s his determination and adaptation skills that really has me excited to work with him this year,” said team owner, Ben Henry. “He’s ridden almost every race bike there is, and he’s adapted his style every time. He’s fast, consistent and had some great results last season, and I’m certain we can support him for…

De Dion-Bouton is a name few people know of today. Car guys may be able to tell you about the De Dion back end in their classic sports car, but ask for more on the company that designed that suspension and you’ll usually draw a blank. Go back 125 years and it was a different story… At the dawn of the 20th Century, De Dion-Bouton was the equivalent of Ford or Toyota today – one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world. Germany may have invented the internal combustion automobile, but it was French companies like De Dion-Bouton that popularised it before America industrialised it. THE COUNT AND THE TOYMAKERS Despite the double-barrelled name, De Dion-Bouton was the creation of three people - at least initially. Jules Félix Phillipe…