Table of contents for Issue 321 in Motorcycle Trader

Robert Pirsig, author of the iconic novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, has died at the age of 88 “after a period of failing health”. After being rejected by more than 120 publishers, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was published in 1974 to rave reviews and huge popularity. It remained near the top of the best-sellers list for a decade and has sold around five million copies. Loosely autobiographical, it is a first-person father-son story that draws on a 17-day motorcycle trip Pirsig took across the US in 1968 with his 11-year-old son, Chris. The story is widely viewed as a reflection on metaphysics and existential philosophy rather than a book on how to repair a motorcycle. It also contains flashbacks to a period in which…

No raked front end, no forward controls, no ape hangers, no fat rear tyre and no Harley stereotypes. The Street Rod’s name might be familiar, but it isn’t another cruiser from Harley-Davidson. Instead, it’s a harder, sharper and faster urban brawler version of the iconic American brand’s incredibly popular Street 750. Until now, Australia and New Zealand have only had access to the LAMS-approved Street 500 – a conventional cruiser with a rideaway price of $11,495 ($NZ11,995). It’s the most-affordable Harley in recent memory and regularly our best-selling road bike. Elsewhere in the world, Harley has sold more than 35,000 units of the Street 500 and 750 since their 2015 release, with the 750 being the more popular. Who’d have thought a cut-price, small-capacity Harley-Davidson made in India would take…

The Ducati 1299 Panigale S isn’t overrated – getting pulled over by the police is overrated. That’s what I’m thinking as the sirens scream behind the Panigale S, priced from $35,490 (plus on-road costs). I look in my mirror and see the unmarked car speeding up. I don’t think the officer is happy. Should I run? The thready pulse of the V-twin seems to want to. But the situation – heavy traffic before a motorway ramp – doesn’t quite call for 151kW (205hp) at 10,500rpm or 145Nm at 8750rpm. Likewise, the bike’s claimed 0-100km/h time of less than three seconds isn’t much good to me. In truth, I’d probably have more chance of getting away on a scooter. But I don’t like scooters. “Stay cool, Sean. You weren’t breaking the…

Off-camber corners – we all dread them. But we don’t have to if we have the right skills. Let’s start by explaining what camber is. On a corner, it’s the height difference between one side of the road and the other. On a straight, camber falls away either side of the crest in the middle of the road. But whether on a straight or corner, camber always helps to drain water and prevents it from pooling on the road. Well-designed roads often have ‘positive camber’ through corners, meaning the outside of the road is higher than the inside. In this case, gravity works with you to ‘pull you down’ towards the inside of the turn. This means less sideways force on the bike and tyres. Lastly, is the effect camber…

SHIRTLESS PAUL Shirtless Paul borrowed this racer at Maryland in NSW back in the day. Borrowing a shirt, helmet and shoes must have been too much to ask. PIT STOP The Nabiac Hotel in NSW hosts a respectable gathering of bikes in 1969. Ed Harbas from Yeppoon, Queensland, says he and his mates always stopped there on their way home from the Aquatic Festival at Taree. They always drank responsibly and made it home safe, until they ran into their wives. MOON MEN These Triumph-mounted cops were escorting the first men on the moon during their visit to Sydney in 1969. BILLY’S TRIUMPH Here’s Billy on his Triumph at the Heddon Greta short circuit in NSW – an original ‘easy rider’ from 1969. BATHURST BMW The streets of Bathurst were…

After a too-long absence, it’s worth pondering what it would be like to once again be in the saddle of an Aprilia RS250. These days, rolling up to a set of lights with an angry two-stroke would feel about as anti-social as you can get. The cackling of the chambers, the smoke and then the hackle-raising cacophony of the pipes as you rev the bejesus out of it to get off the line cleanly. But there are those among us who miss it. There was a time well within living memory when you could have walked into a motorcycle showroom and had your choice of wailing strokers. Models such as the relatively simple air-cooled Yamaha RD250/350/400 series of the ’60s and ’70s helped to popularise the idea of the little…

Poor form has cast doubts over celebrity racer Guy Martin’s prospects of finally winning at the 99th Isle of Man TT this year. But that won’t stop thousands rushing to the island, from June 3 to 9, to witness his return to the event after a crash at the Ulster Grand Prix in 2013 almost cost him his life. On the ground for Motorcycle Trader will be two-time TT champion Cam Donald, who will also be commentating for North One television. Donald says Martin has been a huge drawcard for the event but his races leading up to it have raised questions about his chances. “To be honest, his form has been a bit lacklustre, so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes on the new Fireblade,” Donald says.…

Suzuki has announced pricing of its all-new GSXR1000 sportsbikes, and the good news is the dynamic duo are cheaper than previously thought. The GSX-R1000 will be priced from $21,990 (plus on-road costs) when it arrives in dealers in late June, while the range-topping GSX-R1000R, due in October, will be priced from $25,490. At the time of the bikes’ international launch at Phillip Island (MT #319), Suzuki Australia expected the pair to be priced from less than $23,000 for the standard model and $26,000 for the R. Though still dearer than the outgoing ABS model’s $18,490 price tag, buyers receive much more performance and technology. Think 149kW at 13,200rpm, 118Nm at 10,800rpm and a top speed of more than 280km/h, thanks in part to a shorter-stroke engine, higher compression ratio and…

Most tracks only come alive when the racing is on, but not Broadford, which has to be one of the world’s most unusual motorsport venues. Set in a slice of classic Victorian hill country, the attraction of the Broadford Bike Bonanza is to set up camp for the weekend with mates and cut laps of any its many circuits, whatever your two-wheeled flavour. Even as a spectator, there’s plenty to take in on the track and off, with 360-degree views of gum trees, gullies and hill ranges that stretch to the horizon. The Bike Bonanza ticks all the boxes for fans of motorcycles up to 1990, including vinduro, trials, dirt-track, speedway, vintage motocross and all road and racing bikes. Thousands make the pilgrimage every Easter to enjoy exactly that:…

CHARRIS: You’re not into trials bikes and vinduros like I am, Muir, so I’ll teach you something for nothing. SWM is an Italian dirt-bike brand from the 1970s. Its trials bikes rivalled the likes of Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa of Spain. Depending on who you ask, the SWM name came from Speedy Working Motors, or Sironi Vergani Vimercate Milano, with the ‘W’ representing two ‘V’s. Its bikes had a following (and even had trials champion Sammy Miller help out with model development). But the off-road scene was fragmented, with many niche players, and the company eventually went bust in the early 1980s. A few years back, though, a former engineer of Aprilia, Cagiva and Husqvarna revived the brand and is said to produce them in Italy, with the financial backing…

CARGO COOL Cargoes are back. Did they ever leave? Draggin’s cargo pants come with soft cotton, side pockets and the Australian company’s proprietary protective lining on all the major crash points: hips, backside, knees, and outer thighs. Draggin says its RooMoto material offers unrivalled safety while reducing heat and sweat and providing antibacterial properties. The Cargoes are also breathable. Another bonus is that all Draggin garments come with a one-year warranty, which covers factory defects such as defective seams, snap failure or zipper failure. Garments can also be returned within 14 days if they don’t fit or even if cargoes don’t suit you as much as you thought they would. That’s pretty rare these days. See the website for more. $249 www.Draggin.net THE MAC DADDY Top-value European apparel brand Macna…

NEW SOUTH WALES ROYAL ENFIELD CLUB OF AUSTRALIA INC. Meetings first Tuesday of the month at Public House Petersham in Sydney, 7.30pm. The NSW club aims to promote the preservation and restoration of historic Royal Enfields. Membership of the Royal Enfield Club of Australia covers the cost of NSW club membership. Contact Peter Jackson on 0466 233 781. Rally: Queanbeyan Rally, May 7 to 9. Contact Garry Eyles on 0400405158 POLISH MOTORCYCLE SOCIAL GROUP, SYDNEY All types of bikes welcome. No attitudes. Just social rides every Saturday or Sunday morning for Polish-speaking riders. Phone J.J.on 0410 487 696 after 10.30am or Waldek on 0403 280 385 DUAL SPORT MOTORCYCLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION (DSMRA) PO Box 825, Hornsby, 2077. Call Ian Gesch on (02) 6262 7162. Or visit the website for all…

SWM continues its new-model onslaught with the arrival of the Superdual, a cut-price, lightweight adventure bike to rival the likes of the Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR650, Yamaha XT660Z Tenere and the recently launched AJP PR7, which shares the same engine. Priced from $9990 (plus on-road costs), the Superdual is a more comfortable, long-distance version of the Italian company’s bareboned RS 650 R trail bike, thanks to a 19-litre tank, screen, handguards and luggage capability. It has a claimed dry weight of 159 kilograms. The Superdual is powered by a 600cc liquid-cooled, four-valve single-cylinder engine with DOHC and EFI, which delivers 40kW (54hp) – the same unit found in the RS 650 R and Husqvarna’s TE 630. SWM says the Superdual offers slightly more power due to its underslung exhaust. Specification…

Harley-Davidson will officially sell its trike touring models in Australia from October for riders who like things to come in threes. The delays are understood to involve ADR compliance challenges. With a rideaway price of $40,250, the Freewheeler is touted as “a stripped-down, hot-rod-style on an easy-handling frame.” It is powered by the company’s recently launched Milwaukee-Eight 107 (107ci/1745cc) air/oil-cooled eight-valve V-twin, which produces 150Nm at 3250rpm. Styling highlights include classic cruiser lines including bobtail rear guards, slash-cut pipes, 12-inch mini ape hangers and enough boot space to store two full-face helmets. The range-topping Tri Glide Ultra ($50,995), meanwhile, features full-dresser styling and a pillion backrest as seen in the Ultra Limited. It also receives the luxury tourer’s Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 107, which features liquid-cooled heads (coolant passages around the exhaust…

There are two numbers you need to remember when riding the Royal Enfield Himalayan: 6000 and 410. Those numbers are the adventure bike’s price (before on-road costs) and engine capacity. But in no way are they excuses for anything. Remember those numbers as you hop off its low, comfy saddle after a big day’s ride. Remember them when you reach your destination off the beaten track, without fuss. Remember them as others wrestle their big, tall, complex and costly adventure bikes when the going gets tough. And remember them as you travel through remote places, knowing that its simplicity allows for creative road-side repairs. Royal Enfield describes the all-new Himalayan as “a purer, non-extreme and more accessible form of adventure touring,” and that’s bang-on. Think Honda’s iconic Postie bike, but…

I keep copping a funny buzzing noise that comes and goes, but I’m not worried. I try playing with the screen. Maybe it’s the wind. Or maybe there’s a Tassie devil stuck in the fairing. I shouldn’t be frigging around with the windscreen at 170km/h, punching through a fat corner. But I can. This year’s big K 1600 GT makes gobbling miles that easy. Priced from $36,490 (plus on-road costs), it now has a quickshifter, reverse assist, electronic suspension, and meets EU4 emission requirements – the sort of thing nobody who’s ever ridden a big six would care about. It’s impressive, though, in the sense that it hasn’t affected the grand tourer’s power and torque. We’re still talking 118kW (160hp) at 7750rpm with 175Nm at 6500rpm – all at the…

“If the average transport hotline worker isn’t sure about the law, it’s unlikely that your local police officer will be” SURF AND TURF I was wondering if you know what the go is with surfboard racks and motorcycles in Australia? I’ve just spent a bit of time in Bali, where I was riding a scooter with a surfboard rack to carry a longboard. It worked fine. I found a few racks online I could attach to my Suzuki (DR650) here, but I’m not sure if it’s legal. Do you guys know the law? There’s not much information available on the government websites. The board is a 6”7’ and I wouldn’t be riding with it far – just to Warrnambool Beach (I live in that town). Mark Williams, Warrnambool, Vic Mark,…

My family agreed my bike looked like a Mardi Gras float. It was not exactly the reaction I’d hoped for. When I’d showed my dad and uncle the Indian Chief Vintage, I’d wanted to make them jealous with some of the best motorcycle bling $31,995 can buy. But, in truth, even I wasn’t sure about the styling. Don’t get me wrong, the actual design is stunning and the detail and chrome work is some of the best out there. But the Willow Green, Ivory Cream and tan leather tassels – jeeze, I was a bit out of my comfort zone. I actually almost rode back to the dealership to ask for something edgier, like the Chieftain Darkhorse ($34,995 rideaway), or even a Springfield ($33,995). That’s how strongly I felt about…

“Their comparatively high price overseas meant few were exported” 1964 GILERA GIUBILEO 150 SOLD: $US1380 ($A1810) During the 1930s Gilera twice won the International Six Days Trial for Italy, and its road bikes did well in endurance races such as the Milano-Taranto. Guiseppe Gilera realised that racing success was a great way to publicise the brand. In 1947 he had Piero Remor design a 500cc inline four-cylinder racer. After extensive developmental work, Umberto Masetti rode it to world titles in 1950 and 1952. Geoff Duke took over as works rider and won the championship a further three times. Successes followed at the Isle of Man TT, but Gilera pulled out of competition after the 1957 season, returning briefly in 1963. Racing was expensive and Gilera relied on sales of its…