Australian Motorcycle News (January 2020)

MODEL PRICE ENGINE POWER TORQUE WEIGHT TESTED LAMS MODEL PRICE ENGINE POWER TORQUE WEIGHT TESTED LAMS
$AUD CC, TYPE KW NM KG VOL / NO. $AUD CC, TYPE KW NM KG VOL / NO.
Multistrada Enduro Sand $32,190 1260, L-twin 117.7* 136 254w* 69 / 09 � Forza 300 $8299 279, Single NG NG 192w* 63 / 07 �
Multistrada Enduro Red T-Pack $34,690 1260, L-twin 117.7* 136 254w* 65 / 21 � PCX150 $4799 153, Single NG NG 130w* NT �
Multistrada Enduro Sand T-Pack $34,890 1260, L-twin 117.7* 136 254w* 65 / 21 � Husqvarna
Scrambler Cafe Racer $18,990 803, L-twin 55* 68* 188w* 66 / 24 � husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au
Scrambler Desert Sled $19,290 803, L-twin 55* 68* 170d* 66 / 16 � 401 Vitpilen $6,595 373, Single 4T 32* 27.3* 150d* NT �
Scrambler Full Throttle $17,540 803, L-twin 55* 68* 170d* 64 / 14 � 401 Svartpilen $6,595 373, Single 4T 32* 27.3* 150d* NT �
Scrambler Icon $13,990 803, L-twin 55* 68* 170d* 64 / 14 � 701 Vitpilen $8,795 672, Single 4T 55* 72* 157d* 69 / 04 �
Scrambler Sixty2 $13,490 399, L-twin 30.1* 34.3* 183w* 65 / 24 � 701 Svartpilen $9,295 672, Single 4T 55* 72* 157d* NT �
Scrambler 1100 $16,990 1100, L-twin 55* 68* 170d* 64 / 14 � 701 Enduro $15,495 672, Single 4T 55* 72* 157d* NT �
Scrambler 1100 S $18,990 1100, L-twin 55* 68* 170d* 64 / 14 � 701 Supermoto $15,995 672, Single 4T 55* 72* 157d* NT �
Scrambler 1100 Sport $19,990 1100, L-twin 55* 68* 170d* NT � FE 250 $13,995 249, Single 4T NG NG 107.3d* NT �
SuperSport $17,790 937, L-twin 83.1* 96.7* 210k* 69 / 11 � FE 350 $14,995 349, Single 4T NG NG 109d* NT �
SuperSport S $20,250 937, L-twin 83.1* 96.7* 210k* 67 / 05 � FE 450 $15,395 449, Single 4T NG NG 112.8d* NT �
XDiavel $30,190 1262, L-twin 114.7* 128.9* 247k* 65 / 17 � FE 501 $15,895 510, Single 4T NG NG 113.3d* NT �
XDiavel S Black $35,490 1262, L-twin 114.7* 128.9* 247k* 65 / 17 � TE150 $12,329 144, Single 2T NG NG 99.3w* NT �
XDiavel S White $35,790 1262, L-twin 114.7* 128.9* 247k* 65 / 17 � TE 250 $13,995 249, Single 2T NG NG 104.2d* NT �
Gas Gas gasgasaustralia.com.au TE 300 $15,395 293, Single 2T NG NG 104.4d* NT �
EC250 $11,990 249, Single 2T NG NG 107d* NT � Indian ...............................................................................................................indianmotorcycle.com.au
EC300 $12,490 299, Single 2T NG NG 107d* NT � All Indian prices are ride away
EC300 Ranger $11,490 299, Single 2T NG NG 108d* NT � Chief Classic $29,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 357w* 63 / 03 �
Chief Dark Horse $30,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 356w* 65 / 02 �
Harley-Davidson ...........................................................harley-davidson.com.au
Chief Vintage $32,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 388w* 66 / 22 �
All prices are ride away Chieftain Dark Horse $38,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 377w* NT �
Breakout $34,250 1690, V-twin NG 130* 322w* 62 / 25 � Chieftain Limited $38,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 391w* 63 / 19 �
1200 Custom $19,250 1200, V-twin NG 105* 265w* NT � Chieftain Elite $49,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 391w* NT �
CVO Road Glide $53,495 1745, V-twin NG 151* 330w* NT � 2020 Challenger Limited $39,995 1770, V-twin 91* 178* NG NT �
CVO Street Glide $53,495 1690, V-twin NG 138* 372w* 65 / 04 � 2020 Challenger Dark Horse $99,595 1770, V-twin 91* 178* NG NT �
CVO Ultra Limited $56,250 1801, V-twin NG 156* 429w* 66 / 12 � FTR 1200 $20,995 1203, Vtwin 92* 120* 230w* NT �
Fat Bob $27,750 1690, V-twin NG 131* 310w* 63 / 17 � FTR 1200 S $22,995 1203, Vtwin 92* 120* 231w* NT �
Fat Boy $30,995 1690, V-twin NG 134* 313w* NT � FTR 1200 S Race Replica $24,995 1203, Vtwin 92* 120* 231w* NT �
Fat Boy S $33,995 1801, V-twin NG 146* 333w* NT � Roadmaster $41,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 428w* NT �
Forty-Eight $18,995 1200, V-twin NG 97* 255w* 60 / 07 � Roadmaster Dark Horse $41,995 1811, V-twin NG 161* 428w* NT �
Heritage Classic S $33,995 1690, V-twin NG 132* 341w* NT � Scout $19,995 1133, V-twin 74.7* 97.7* 254w* 64 / 10 �
Iron 883 $15,995 883, V-twin NG 73* 255w* 63 / 19 � Scout 100th Anniversary $22,995 1133, V-twin 74.7* 97.7* 254w* NT �
2020 Low Rider $27,995 1868, V-twin 65* 155* 308w* 69 / 08 � Scout Bobber $19,995 1133, V-twin 74.7* 97.7* 255w* 67 / 10 �
Road Glide Special $38,750 1690, V-twin NG 150* 388w* 67 / 05 � Scout Bobber Twenty $21,995 1133, V-twin 74.7* 97.7* 264w* NT �
Road King $34,495 1690, V-twin NG 138* 371w* NT � Springfield $34,995 1811, V-twin NG* 161* 391w* 65 / 25 �
Roadster $19,495 1202, V-twin NG 98* 259k* 66 / 01 x Springfield Dark Horse $36,995 1811, V-twin NG* 161* 391w* NT �
Softail Deluxe $29,750 1690, V-twin NG 134* 330* NT � Kawasaki .........................................................................................................................kawasaki.com.au
Softail Slim $26,495 1690, V-twin NG 134* 318* 61 / 22 �
Street 500 $9995 494cc V-twin NG 40* 222w* 64 / 17 � KLR650 $8199 651, Single NG NG 194w* 63 / 05 �
Street Bob $23,495 1690, V-twin NG 130* 305w* 62 / 23 � 2020 KLX250S $6399 249, Single NG NG 134w* NT �
Street Rod $12,995 749, V-twin 51* 65* 238w* 66 / 24 � 2020 KLX230 $5999 233 Single NG NG 134w* NT �
SuperLow $15,995 883, V-twin NG 73* 255w* NT � 2020 KLX230R $5699 233, Single NG NG 115w* NT �
Ultra Limited $40,995 1690, V-twin NG 138 414w* 66 / 12 � KLX450R $11,199 449, Single NG NG 126w* NT �
2020 Ninja 400 $6699 399, P-twin 36* 28* 168w* 62 / 07 �
Honda ...................................................................hondamotorcycles.com.au
2020 Ninja 400 SE or KRT $6949 399, P-twin 36* 28* 168w* NT �
CB125E $2499 124, Single 10* 10.1 137w* 66 / 06 � Ninja 650 $9999 649, P-twin 53* 64* 211w* NT �
CB500F $7799 471, P-twin 35* 43* 192w* 62 / 17 � Ninja 650L $9999 649, P-twin 37.8* 59* 192k* 66 / 20 �
CBR500R $8199 471, P-twin 34.4** 42.4* 194w* 62 / 21 � Ninja 650L KRT Edition $10,299 649, P-twin 37.8* 59* 192k* 66 / 20 �
CBR600RR $15,399 599, Four 88* 66* 186d* 62 / 19 � Ninja 1000 $16,399 1043, Four 104.5* 111* 231k* 67 / 05 �
CB650F $9999 649, Four 35* NG* 208w* NT � 2020 Ninja H2 SX SE $33,000 998, Four 147.2* 158* 237w* 68/03 �
CB650R $10,299 649, Four 35* NG 215w** NT � Ninja H2 Carbon $41,900 998, Four 147.2* 158* 237w* 64 / 19 �
2020 CBR1000RR-R SP $49,999 999, Four 160* 113* 201kw* NT � Ninja ZX-6R $14,799 636, Four 96.4* 71* 194w* 62 / 12 �
CMX $8299 471, P-twin NG NG 187.8k* 67 / 03 � Ninja ZX-6R KRT replica $14,799 636, Four 96.4* 71* 194w* 62 / 12 �
CRF250L $6299 249, Single 17* NG 147w* NT � Ninja ZX-10R $23,700 998, Four 147.1* 113.5* 206w* 62 / 17 �
CRF250LA $6599 249, Single 17* NG 157k* NT � Ninja ZX-10R KRT replica $23,900 998, Four 147.1* 113.5* 206w* 62 / 17 x
CRF230F $6199 223, Single 14* NG 112k* NT � Ninja ZX-10RR $27,300 998, Four 147.1* 113.5* 206w* 62 / 17 �
2020 Africa Twin $19,995 998, P-twin 75 105 238w* 69 / 10 � Ninja ZX-14R $22,099 1352, Four 147.2* 158* 269w* 61 / 14 �
2020 Africa Twin Adv. Sport $23,499 998, P-twin 75 105 238w* 69 / 10 � 2020 Ninja ZX-14R $22,099 1441, Four NG NG 244w* NT �
2020 Africa Twin Adv. Sport DCT $24,499 998, P-twin 75 105 250w* 69 / 10 � Versys-X 300 SE $6499 296, P-twin 29* 26* 175w* 67 / 12 �
GL1800 Goldwing DCT $36,799 1832, Six 88* 167* 421w* 61 / 16 � Versys 650 $10,599 649, P-twin 51* 64* 216w* 62 / 24 �
GL1800 Goldwing Tour $42,999 1832, Six 88* 167* 421w* 61 / 16 � Versys 650L $10,799 649, P-twin 39* 56* 211w* NT �
Grom $3699 124, Single 7.2* 10.9 104k* 69 / 15 � Versys 1000 SE $22,499 1043, Four 88* 102* 257k* NT �
Monkey $5999 124, Single 7.2* 10.9 101.7w* 68 / 11 � 2020 Vulcan S $9999 649, P-twin 35* 57* 226w* 64/16 �
MW110 Benly $3499 108, Single NG NG 108k* NT � 2020 Vulcan S SE $10,199 649, P-twin 35* 57* 226w* NT �
NC750X $10,299 745, P-twin 40.3* 68* 216w* 62 / 07 � 2020 Vulcan 900 Classic $12,499 903, V-twin 37* 78* 281w* NT �
NSC110 Dio $2899 110, Single NG NG 102w* NT � 2020 Vulcan 900 Custom $12,599 903, V-twin 37* 78* 277w* NT �







Call our specialist motorcycle insurance team
on 1800 24 34 64 or visit qbe.com/au



Conditions apply. QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd. ABN 78 003 191 035.
AFSL 239545. Consider the PDS to see if a product is right for you.

buyersguide







AZ OF NEW BIKE PRICES Claimed / ** Measured
*

MODEL PRICE ENGINE POWER TORQUE WEIGHT TESTED LAMS MODEL PRICE ENGINE POWER TORQUE WEIGHT TESTED LAMS
$AUD CC, TYPE KW NM KG VOL / NO. $AUD CC, TYPE KW NM KG VOL / NO.
Vulcan S Cafe $10,499 649, P-twin 35* 57* 226w* 64/16 Brutale 800 RR $24,990 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* 68/08
W800 SE $11,999 773, P-twin 35* 60* 216w* NT Brutale 800 RR Pirelli $30,880 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* NT
W800 Cafe $13,999 773, P-twin 35* 60* 216w* NT Brutale 800 RC $32,880 798, Triple 110* 87* 167d* NT
2020 W800 Street $12,999 773, P-twin 35* 60* 216w* NT Brutale 800 RR America $28,590 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* NT
Z125 PRO KRT Replica $4249 125, Single 7.1* 9.6* 102w* 66 / 02 Brutale 800 RR Lewis Hamilton $38,880 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* NT
2020 Z400 $6499 399, P-twin 33.4* 38* 168w* 68 / 23 Brutale 1000 Serie Oro $71,990 998, Four 153* 115* 186d* NT
Z650L (LAMS) $9799 649, P-twin 37.8* 59* 186k* 66 / 16 F3 675 $21,990 675, Triple 94* 71* 173d* 67 / 16
Z900 $12,499 948, Four 92.2* 98.6* 210w* 67 / 12 F3 675 RC $28,590 675, Triple 94* 71* 173d* 62 / 05
2020 Z900RS $16,099 948, Four 92.2* 98.6* 210w* 66 / 22 F3 800 $23,990 798, Triple 108* 88* 173d* NT
Z900RS Cafe $16,799 948, Four 92.2* 98.6* 210w* 66 / 22 F3 800 RC $30,880 798, Triple 108* 88* 173d* NT
Z1000 $15,599 1043, Four 104.5* 111* 221w* 63 / 15 F4 $28,590 998, Four 144* 111* 191d* 61 / 25
F4 RR $38,990 998, Four 148* 111* 190d* 63 / 01
KTM ............................................................................................................................................................ktm.com.au F4 RC $61,880 998, Four 158* 115* 183d* 66 / 22 x
1090 Adventure R $22,495 1050, V-twin 92* 109* 207d* 66 / 24 F4 Claudio $125,012 998, Four 158* 115* 183d* 61 / 25
1290 Adventure S $26,495 1301, V-twin 118* 140* 217d* 66 / 24 Turismo Veloce $23,990 798, Triple 81* 80* 191d* 67 / 10
1290 Adventure R $27,295 1301, V-twin 118* 140* 217d* 69 / 09 Turismo Veloce Lusso $27,590 798, Triple 81* 80* 191d* 65 / 10
RC390 $5995 373, Single 32* 37* 149d* 66 / 21 Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS $31,790 798, Triple 81* 80* 192d* 68 / 02
390 Duke $6,095 373, Single 32* 37* 149d* 66 / 21 Turismo Veloce RC SCS $35,880 798, Triple 81* 80* 192d* 67 / 10
690 SCMR $16,395 690, Single 51.5* NG 149.5d* 64 / 20 Peugeot...................................................................................................peugeotmotorcycles.com.au
790 Duke $13,395 790, P-Twin 78.2* 64* 169* 67 / 25
690 Enduro R $15,995 690, Single NG NG 139d* NT All prices are ride away
790 Adventure $19,495 799, P-Twin 70* 88* NG 69 / 02 Kisbee 50 2T $2690 50, Single 2.9* NG 90d* NT
790 Adventure R $20,995 799, P-Twin 70* 88* NG 68 / 19 Tweet 125 $3990 124, Single NG NG NG NT
250 EXC $13,395 249, Single NG NG 101.9d* NT Django 150 $4990 150, Single 7.5* 9.2* 140d* 69 / 01
300 EXC $14,695 293, Single NG NG 102d* NT Django 150 Allure $5190 150, Single 7.5* 9.2* 140d* NT
250 EXC-F $13,395 250, Single NG NG 109d* NT Belville 200 RS $5490 169, Single 8.6* 12.2* 126d* 69 / 14
350 EXC-F $14,295 349, Single NG NG 111d* NT Metropolis 400 $14,790 339, Single 26* 38* 256d* NT
450 EXC $14,695 449, Single NG NG 111d* NT
500 EXC $15,195 510, Single NG NG 111d* NT Piaggio ........................................................................................................................................piaggio.com.au
1290 Super Duke GT $28,795 1301, V-twin 127* 144* 205d* 65 / 22 All prices are ride away
1290 Super Duke R $26,795 1301, V-twin 130* 141* 195d* 66 / 13 BV 350 ABS ASR E4 $8690 330, Single 24* 32* 177d* 63 / 05
Kymco ...................................................................................................kymco.com.au Fly 150 $3590 151, Single 9* NG NG NT
Medley 150 $5390 155, Single 11* 14.4* 132w* 66 / 08
Agility 50 $2050 49, Single 2.6* NG 92.5w* NT Typhoon 50 $2590 50, Single 2T 2.5 NG NG NT
Agility 16+ 200i $3540 163, Single 8.2* NG 122d* NT YourBan 300 $9790 278, Single 17* 24* 211d* 63 / 06
Agility RS 125 $2490 125, Single 6.9* NG 106d* NT Zip 50 2T $2090 50, Single 2T 2.5* NG 89d* NT
Agility Carry 125 $2490 125, Single 6.9* NG NG NT Royal Enfield royalenfield.com.au
AK 550 $11,990 550, Twin 39 56 226d* NT
DownTown 350i $6990 320, Single 22.1* NG 173d* NT Bullet 500 $8690 499, Single NG NG 187w* 66 / 17
Like 125 $2890 125, Single 6.9* NG 116d* NT Classic 350 $6490 346, Single NG NG 187w* 67 / 02
Like 150R $4490 125, Single 10* NG 120d* NT Rumbler 350 $6790 350, Single NG NG 187w* 67 / 19
Like 200i $3340 163, Single 8.5* NG 120d* NT Classic 500 $8790 499, Single NG NG 187w* 68 / 05
People S 150 $4340 150, Single 10kW NG 135d* NT Classic 500 Chrome $9190 499, Single 20* 41* 187w* 65 / 17
Super 8 50 $2450 49, Single 2T 2.9* NG 107d* NT Interceptor 650 Classic $9790 648, P-twin 35* 52* 202w* 68 / 09
Super 8 125 $2790 125, Single 6.9* NG 117d* NT Interceptor 650 Custom $9990 648, P-twin 35* 52* 202w* 68 / 09
X-Town 300i $5790 276, Single 17.1* NG 185d* NT Interceptor 650 Chrome $10,290 648, P-twin 35* 52* 202w* 68 / 09
Continental GT $9690 535, Single 21.4* 44* 187w* 69 / 01
Moto Guzzi ....................................................................................................................motoguzzi.com.au Continental GT 650 Classic $9990 648, P-twin 35* 52* 202w* 68 / 09
* indicates ride-away price Continental GT 650 Custom $10,190 648, P-twin 35* 52* 202w* 68 / 09
California Audace $24,990 1380, V-twin 71* 121* 295d* 65 / 20 Continental GT 650 Chrome $10,490 648, P-twin 35* 52* 202w* 68 / 09
California Eldorado $24,990 1380, V-twin 71* 120* 309d* 65 / 13 2020 Himalayan (Euro4) $7300 411, Single 18* 32* 182k* 69 / 08
California Touring ABS SE $25,990 1380, V-twin 71* 120* 300d* 64 / 16 Sherco .....................................................................................................................................................sherco.com
MGX-21 $37,490* 1380, V-twin 71* 121* 341k* 66 / 10
V7 III Milano $16,990* 744, V-twin 38* 60* 193k* NT 250 SE Factory $14,290 249, Single NG NG 105d* NT
V7 III Carbon $16,890* 744, V-twin 38* 60* 189k* NT 300 SE Factory $14,690 293.1, Single NG NG 105d* NT
V7 III Racer $18,500* 744, V-twin 38* 60* 193k* NT 250 SEF Factory $14,890 249, Single NG NG 102d* NT
V7 III Rough $16,890* 744, V-twin 38* 60* 189k* NT 300 SEF Factory $15,390 303.7, Single NG NG 102d* 62 / 18
V7 III Special $16,190* 744, V-twin 38* 60* 189k* NT 450 SEF Factory $15,990 449.4, Single NG NG 102d* 62 / 18
V7 III Stone $14,590* 744, V-twin 38* 60* 189k* NT 250 SE-R $11,990 249.3, Single NG NG 105d* NT
V9 Bobber $16,890* 853, V-twin 40.44* 62* 199k* 65 / 24 300 SE-R $12,390 293.1, Single NG NG 105d* NT
V9 Roamer $15,190 853, V-twin 40.44* 62* 199k* 65 / 24 250 SEF-R $12,490 248.6, Single NG NG 102d* NT
300 SEF-R $13,390 303.7, Single NG NG 102d* 64 / 20
MV Agusta .....................................................................................................................mvagusta.com.au 450 SEF-R $13,790 449.4, Single NG NG 102d* NT
All prices are ride away
800 Dragster RR $27,990 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* 63 / 18 Suzuki ............................................................................................................suzukimotorcycles.com.au
800 Dragster America $29,990 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* NT Address 110 $2490 113, Single NG NG 97w* 65 / 02
800 Dragster Pirelli $31,490 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* NT Boulevard S40 $7990 652, Single NG NG 173w* NT
800 Dragster RC $33,490 798, Triple 103* 87* 172d* NT Boulevard C50T $10,990 805, V-twin 39* 69* N/A 60 / 18
Superveloce 800 Serie Oro $49,990 798, Triple 108* 88* 173d* NT Boulevard C90 $15,490 1462, V-twin 72* 136.7* 363w* 62 / 11
Brutale 800 $21,990 798, Triple 81* 83* 172d* NT Boulevard M109R $19,490 1783, V-twin 92* 160* 347w* NT


Your adventure.






Our policy.

MODEL PRICE ENGINE POWER TORQUE WEIGHT TESTED LAMS MODEL PRICE ENGINE POWER TORQUE WEIGHT TESTED LAMS
$AUD CC, TYPE KW NM KG VOL / NO. $AUD CC, TYPE KW NM KG VOL / NO.
Burgman 200 $5490 200, Single 13.5* N/A 161w* 64 / 15 � Tiger 1200 XRX $24,200 1200, Triple 104* 122* 244d* 67 / 14 �
Burgman 400 $10,490 385, Single 13.5* N/A 215w* NT � Tiger 1200 XCX $25,600 1200, Triple 104* 122* 243d* 67 / 14 �
DR-Z400 SM $8990 398, Single 29.4* N/A 146w* NT � Tiger 1200 XRT $27,600 1200, Triple 104* 122* 248d* 67 / 14 �
GSX-R125 $3490 124.4, Single NG NG 134w* NT � Tiger 1200 XCA $29,300 1200, Triple 104* 122* 228d* 69 / 09 �
GSX-R600 $14,990 599, Four 92.5* 69.6* 187w* 60 / 14 �
GSX-R750 $15,990 750, Four 110* 86* 190w* NT � Ural ......................................................................................................................................................................ural.com
GSX-R1000 $21,990 1000, Four 136.1* 116.7* 203k* 64 / 14 � 2020 CT $23,290 749, Twin 31* 56.9* 332d* 65 / 12 �
GSX-R1000R $25,490 1000, Four 148.6* 117* 203k* 66 / 17 � �
GSX-S750 $11,490 749, Four 84* 81* 213w* 67 / 02 � 2020 Ranger $26,490 749, Twin 31* 56.9* 332d* 68 / 15
GSX-S1000 $15,190 999, Four 107* 106* 209w* 64 / 20 � 2020 Ranger Sportsman LE $29,690 749, Twin 31* 56.9* 332d* NT �
RM-Z250 $10,590 449, Single 35.5* 43.4* 124w* 64 / 20 � 2020 Ranger Sahara LE $29,990 749, Twin 31* 56.9* 332d* NT �
RM-Z450 $11,490 449, Single 35.5* 43.4* 124w* 64 / 20 � Vespa .................................................................................................................................................vespa.com.au
SV650 $8990 645, V-twin 35* 56.5* 197w* 66 / 01 �
V-Strom 250 $6190 250, Twin NG NG 188w* NT � Prices marked * are ride away
V-Strom 650 $10,990 645, V-twin 52* 62* 213w* 67 / 01 � Primavera 50 $5290* 49, Single 3.2* NG 96d* NT �
V-Strom 650 XT $12,290 645, V-twin 52* 62* 216w* 67 / 01 � Primavera 125 iGET $6190 124, Single 7.9* 10.4* NG NT �
V-Strom 650 XT LAMS $12,290 645, V-twin 52* 62* 216w* 67 / 01 � Primavera 150 iGET $6890 155, Single 9.5* 12.8* NG NT �
V-Strom 1000 $15,790 1037, V-twin 74* 101* 232w* 67 / 01 � Primavera 150 S $7090 155, Single 9.5* 12.8* NG NT �
V-Strom 1000XT $16,490 1037, V-twin 74* 101* 233w* 67 / 01 � �
Sprint 150 S $7090 124.5, Single 7.9* 12.8* NG NT
SWM swmmotorcycles.com.au Sprint 150 Notte $7190 124.5, Single 7.9* 12.8* NG NT �
Sprint 150 iGET $7690 124.5, Single 7.9* 12.8* NG NT �
Prices marked * are ride away
GTS 300 Super $9,290 278, Single 15.5* 26* 148d* 63 / 14 �
Gran Milano $6990* 445, Single 22* 35.8* 145d* 66 / 16 � GTS 300 Super Notte $9,590 278, Single 15.5* 22* 148d* 63 / 14 �
Silver Vase $4990* 445, Single 22* 35.8* 151d* NT � GTS 300 Super Sport $9,590 278, Single 15.5* 26* 148d* 63 / 14 �
RS 300 R $7790 300, Single NG NG 107d* NT � GTV 300 Sei Giorni $10,290 278, Single 15.5* 22* NG NT �
RS 500 R $8490 500, Single NG NG 112d* NT �
SM 500 R $9990 500, Single NG NG 120.5d* NT � Yamaha .................................................................................................................yamaha-motor.com.au
Superdual X $10,490 600, Single NG NG 169d* NT � All prices are ride away
Superdual T $8990 600, Single NG NG 169d* NT �
AG125F $3849 100, Single NG NG NG NT �
Super Soco ......................................................supersoco.com.au AG200F $5699 196, Single NG NG 112w* NT �
TS - Sport $4290 Electric 2.4* 120* 78* 68 / 22 � Bolt C $10,349 942, V-twin 38.3* 79.5* 245w* 64 / 03 �
TC - Cafe Racer $4990 Electric 3* 150* NG* NT � Bolt R $14,349 942, V-twin 38.3* 79.5* 245w* 64 / 03 �
CUX - Scooter $4490 Electric 2.7* 115* NG* NT � D’elight 125 $4449 125, Single NG NG NG NT �
CUX - Ducati Edition $4990 Electric 2.7* 115* NG* NT � FJR1300A (Electric suspension) $30,649 1298, Four 107* 138* 289w* 62 / 10 �
MT-03 $7299 321, P-twin 30.9* 29.6* 168w* 65 / 24 �
SYM Scoota .................................................symscooters.com.au MT-07 $11,699 655, P-twin 38.3* 57.5 179w 64 / 07 �
Symphony ST200i $3780 200, Single 8.8* 12.5* 127d* NT � MT-07 Tracer $14,149 655, P-twin 38.3* 57.5* 196w* 66 / 21 �
Classic 200i $3549 200, Single 8.8* 12.5* 121d* NT � MT-09 $14,099 847, Triple 84.6* 87.5* 193w* 69 / 02 �
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Buck’s Party



KELLIE BUCKLEY




Out of this world






MAT OXLEY CALLED them superheroes in his 2010 book An saving his rival and friend’s life.
age of Superheroes. Referring to the protagonists of 500cc Then, when they were unsuccessful, he helped carry
Grand Prix racing in the six seasons spanning between 1988 Goncalves’ body to the helicopter.
and 1993, a time, he said, when macho colonials slugged it out “It was the right thing to do,” he wrote later.
on evil two-strokes capable of well over 300km/h. He’s right. “I was first at his side and wanted to be the last to leave.”
It was when traction control was unheard of, racetrack safety It’s a harrowing scenario for any person in any situation to
was minimal and a rear tyre snapping sideways and launching have to endure. One, thankfully, most of us will never have to
riders into orbit was always imminent. go through. But imagine going through an ordeal like that
Then, towards the end of last decade, a new and then having no option but to climb back onboard
term appeared describing the other-worldly your bike and continue racing. Flat out.
capabilities of motorcycle racing’s elite. Price had celebrated a stage victory the day
This time we called them ‘aliens’, referring before, clawing back a few important minutes
to the half-a-dozen front-runners with He had on rally leader Ricky Brabec. He was sitting
supernatural levels of talent, ability and third in the general standings when he
courage; they must be unearthly. everything to started that day’s 546km-long timed
I’ll never downplay the supreme talent special. He had everything to race for, and
and fearless commitment of a top-level race for, and every reason to stop.
MotoGP rider – what they do to earn a But there’s no red flag in rally racing.
crust is incredible. But if we think about every reason No escape roads, either. The 32-year-old
what might be the toughest day in a to stop pulled on his race face and rode 250km,
MotoGP rider’s career and compare it to full noise, across the vast and remote Saudi
what Australia’s Toby Price had to endure on Arabian desert. No one knows what was going
the seventh day of this year’s Dakar Rally; that through the fiercely talented Aussie’s mind
is truly something else altogether. that afternoon, but after bidding a sorrowful
It was the longest day of the rally; 741km in total. farewell to the Portuguese rider, Price raced the
To put that distance into perspective, that’s the Czech, equivalent of the Dutch TT and the German Grand Prix,
Austrian, British, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and half of the and finished the day just 7m57s down on stage winner Kevin
Australian Grands Prix all squeezed into a single day of the Benavides, who had no idea of the tragedy which had unfolded
7900km, 12-day race. behind him.
But 250km before the end, Price came across Paulo Of course I agree with the well-deserved status of grand
Goncalves, who suffered a crash during a particularly fast prix racing’s most talented riders; it’d be ridiculous to say they
section of the stage. He stopped, called for help and did what possess anything less than superhuman determination and
he could to help once medical assistance arrived. He spent an unworldly talent. But if grand prix riders from the early ’90s are
hour and half with the stricken rider, holding drip bags and superheroes, and the riders from more recent times are aliens,
redirecting competitors around the scene as doctors worked at what on earth does that make Toby Price?

Wyllie and Jones teamed up
for the Baskerville Two Hour
endurance race

























































Jones offered to ride the
V4 with Wyllie’s setup

















































James O’Hagan

Revolving Racer



JASON WYLLIE


Isle of right







IT’S GREAT TO be able to talk about the resurgence of racing in Mike’s presence certainly pumped up the publicity for the race
Tasmania. I have been road racing for four years now and I’ve and if we hadn’t had a couple of issues we were in with a good
seen it gaining more interest over that time. Next year we take chance for the win against strong opposition.
another step forward with a class for Juniors. The Ducati must have struck a chord with racing fans as my
I am also taking a big step forward, up from the Supersport Facebook diary on our preparation of turning a roadbike into a
class to Superbike on a Ducati Panigale V4. It’s the 1100cc version, racer got a lot of followers. Thanks for the interest!
which is eligible for club and state championship racing. As for the race, Mike qualified third and by lap five was in the
It sure is a dream bike and it was a dream to make its race debut lead. He pushed out a 6.5-second lead until we got hit with an
late last year at the Baskerville Two Hour with newly-crowned electronic issue. Once that was sorted we got back up to third
ASBK champ Mike Jones. It was a last-minute deal as but then more fuel stops than we wanted meant Mike
Mike’s nominated race partner busted his wrist a Our finished fourth despite a great display of riding.
couple of weeks before. The success of the Two Hour mirrors what’s
All I can say after racing with Mike is that I wish state title is happening in Tassie now. Our state championship
I was a few years younger and I’d definitely be is back; alive and well and certainly growing.
racing the V4 in ASBK. back; alive The two clubs organising it have included
As it is, taking over my parents’ 50-year-old a ride day in the program, which encourages
business and with a young family, it’s definitely and well and people who may not normally be interested in
a case of balancing work and play. certainly actually racing to get involved.
My intention is to attend events on the I understand several have got the bug and are
mainland as much as I can and I have brought growing planning to go racing this year at our first round
the Ducati over for the ride day after the Island for the 2020 season on 16 February.
Classic at Phillip Island. I will be racing Bill Well-run events like the Two Hour and our
Newton’s Suzuki GSX-R1100 in the Island Classic so revitalised state titles provide something to promote
right now life can’t get much better. and local media is starting to come on board.
Having Mike Jones on our team for the Two Hour was awesome. Out of this we are developing a Junior class and already have
He’s so easy going and with no airs and graces. I don’t think he’d seven riders keen to go on affordable Yamaha YZF R15 racebikes.
even ridden the new V4 before (Jones won the ASBK title on an FE One of them is my son, Chad. He’s 15 years old and raced go-karts
Panigale twin). We put him out for the majority of practice and he a few years ago. Chad’s been riding dirtbikes on our property and
set the bike up to suit him. now his mates have talked him into taking it to the next level.
When I went out late in the day I didn’t have much confidence Racing over here is certainly gaining momentum and the word
in the front end. To my great surprise, Mike said he’d be happy to is getting out.
change the settings back to suit me and just ride it as it was. But Like everyone racing I am dependant on family, friends and
I knew I wouldn’t be able to learn to ride such a powerful bike in long-term sponsors. I have all of this and feel very lucky to be
five minutes so we left it with his set-up. where I am at.

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In Pit Lane



MICHAEL SCOTT



Hydrogen bombs





HYDROGEN-POWERED TWO-strokes? The more imaginative and I suspect to all readers, motorbike racing is so much more
elements of the motorcycle press leapt on the idea, when it was interesting, enjoyable and valuable than the up-its-own-arse
proposed as a piece of blue-sky thinking for Formula 1 a week world of F1.
or so back. So… back to the two-stroke question. The F1 chat, probably
“MotoGP to return to two-strokes” was too tempting a as much publicity stunt as sincere proposal, suggested
headline to resist. If only. Dump those big diesels… and let’s get supercharged two-stroke engines – forced induction bypasses
back to real racing bikes, no? the need to lubricate the crankshaft bearings and the
But there are several pungent reasons why more than just the consequent oil burn in the exhaust; and hydrogen fuel. Lovely
one grain of salt is required here. and clean, and offering (as they were pleased to point out)
Perhaps most important is simply the vast difference between an exhaust noise, in sharp contrast to the challengingly eco-
F1 and MotoGP. friendly but rather deadly Formula E series.
F1 cars are completely specialised, serving no But the relevance to motorcycling? Hmmm…
purpose other than to race against one another, Two- The industry that supports racing is not covered
and having as close a relationship to (say) a with glory, for it was the big players – notably
mass-market SUV as does a malaria mosquito strokes are Honda and Yamaha – that conspired to drop
to a blue whale. times 500cc two-strokes in favour of big four-strokes.
F1 is a megabucks industry all of itself; This was entirely for marketing reasons:
independent from the automobile industry better suited as two-strokes had fallen out of favour
in every way, except for name. Sure, Mercedes with misguided green campaigners (the
Benz and Renault are involved. But the cars to power forerunners of those Australians who stopped
and the technology are from England, from traditional bush clearing and fire-breaks, and
the highly specialised ‘F1 belt’ centred on the bikes provided fuel for runaway bush fires).
Thames valley north-west of London, mainly in Obliged to sell big four-strokes, they decided
Oxfordshire. This is where top-level four-wheeled they ought to race them as well.
racing lives, and incidentally where Kenny Roberts went A tragedy, really. Two-stroke engines are 100 times
when he wanted to build a four-stroke to challenge the Japanese. better suited to power motorcycles for all sorts of reasons.
The technology gap between four and two wheels can be Lighter, more compact, much simpler to manufacture and
demonstrated by his lack of success, as well as the all-but maintain, they require hardly any of the polluting special
stillborn Ilmor of 2007. metals and hardening processes of a top-heavy four-stroke.
MotoGP bikes, on the other hand, are proper motorbikes. They Improved metallurgy, lubrication and electronics including
are very close siblings to sportsbikes and in turn even to their fuel injection were already well advanced in addressing the
humbler commuter-bike brethren. The controls are the same, exhaust-smoke problem, while supercharging was on the menu,
the electronics closely related, the engines likewise; so too the which entirely eliminates it.
suspension systems, chassis geometry and overall design. Continuing to race two-strokes would have accelerated
Kissing cousins. development; modern sportsbikes would have been lighter, more
In the same way, MotoGP is intrinsically intertwined with responsive and faster than the overly complex current offerings.
the industry. When Honda, Yamaha et al go racing, they make The problem with two-strokes, as famous two-stroke tuner
their own engines and chassis, and there is a clear cross-over Harald Bartol once explained to me, is that “they smell of poor
between production and racing R&D. people”. Headlines that suggest an imminent return to two-
This is just one of the reasons why, at least to this writer strokes for MotoGP, meanwhile, smell of fish.

108 WATCH DAKAR RALLY
THIS































































WORDS KEL BUCKLEY PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
Ricky Brabec had one hand on the

Dakar trophy as early as the third stage,

but it was an enthralling race which

unfolded over a dozen gruelling and


dusty days. Here’s reasons why

lever and calculative” was how two-time in the recent past. There was the illegal refuelling
Dakar Rally winner Toby Price described penalties for the three-rider team in 2017, which
American Ricky Brabec’s ride to his cost Spanish rider Joan Barreda Bort the lead and
historic Dakar Rally win. And it had to any hope of winning in the latter stages of the race.
Cbe, because there was far more than just Then the penalties for Kevin Benavides who was
a trophy at stake for the 42nd edition of arguably the caught concealing course notes on himself and on
world’s toughest off-road race. his bike during last year’s event. Honda argued both
Held for the first time in Saudi Arabia, more incidents were within legal interpretations of the
than a few teams were looking to use the unseen rulebook, of course, but race direction disagreed.
battleground to rewrite the history books. Honda rider Brabec publicly announced the
The stakes were high. All manufacturers were 2019 win was between himself and Rockstar
determined to break KTM’s 18-year winning Husqvarna’s Pablo Quintanilla as early as the
streak, and none more than Honda, which hadn’t eighth stage – but it ended in heartbreak when the
tasted a Dakar victory since Frenchman Gillies engine in his CRF450 had other ideas.
Lalay rode his NXR 800V to the win in the 11th Likewise, Quintanilla was well poised for a final-
running of the event way back in 1989. stage showdown with eventual winner Toby Price
“All the manufacturers are trying really hard to when a crash just 10km into the final special cruelly
take this win streak off us,” Price said at the start left the Chilean rider with a broken foot.
of the 12-day event. “We know what to expect and And plagued by bad luck in recent years,
we’re going to just try our best to stay in the race and Yamaha, too, was eager to add a 10th Dakar title to
do what we can to get to the finish line first.” its all-time record, the first since 13-time winner
Honda has been desperate to add a sixth Dakar Stéphane Peterhansel claimed the spoils over two
winner’s trophy to its books, but it’s been this very decades ago in 1998. These were the bits that made
desperation which has let the Japanese brand down it memorable.

Dakar




BRABEC BECAME (ONE OF)


THE FIRST AMERICAN TO


1EVER WIN DAKAR




BE IT BIKES, cars, trucks, quads or UTVs,
an American had never once tasted the
winner’s champagne leading into the
2020 edition the Dakar Rally.
They’d come close; Danny LaPorte
rode his Cagiva Elefant 900 to second
place behind Stephane Peterhansel
(Yamaha) in 1998, and Jimmy Lewis (BMW)
and Chris Blais (KTM) both celebrated third-
place finishes in 2000 and 2007, respectively. But Ricky Brabec
made history when he piloted his Monster Energy Honda
CRF450 almost 8000km from Jeddah to Qiddiya to win the 2020
Dakar Rally. He was joined on the podium by Pablo Quintanilla
(+16m26s) and Toby Price (+24m06s).
The headlines weren’t all Brabec’s, however, because
American Casey Currie also piloted his Can-Am to Dakar victory
in the side-by-side category this year.




















Dakar’s first appearance in the
Middle East looked a lot different
to Africa or South America

YAMAHA’S BAD LUCK CONTINUED



LADY LUCK WAS cruel to
the factory Yamaha squad
once again in 2020, with
both of its lead factory riders
sidelined out of the rally by
the end of just the third stage.
Adrien Van Beveren suffered

a nasty crash during the
second stage that saw him
withdraw from the rally for
the third consecutive year,
this time with a medical evacuation due
to a fractured collarbone.
Just hours after Van Beveren’s
rally-ending crash, Xavier De Soultrait
picked up a nasty wrist injury in what he
called a silly, low-speed crash. He cut the veins in his wrist pretty badly, and
while some tightly applied race tape got him back to the bivouac where the
doctors stitched him up ready to go again the following day, it only got him
300km into the next day’s special before the Frenchman called time on his
seventh Dakar attempt.
“I have no feeling in my wrist,” he said.
“I went over a couple of stones and tried to accelerate by dropping my
elbow. But I can’t control the bike properly. I’ve tried, but I just can’t do it.”
It left all of Yamaha’s hopes on Argentina’s Franco Caimi, who scored three
top-10 finishes for an eighth overall ranking.


110 amcn.com.au

IN BRIEF




FROM TUMOUR

TO DAKAR


Former British enduro
champ Mick Extance who
was diagnosed with a brain
A THIRD OF THE ago and was told his chances
tumour almost three years

of waking up from his life-
3ROADBOOKS to see was just one percent.
saving surgery being able
CAME AT THE He’d raced Dakar seven times
between 2002 and 2009, so

LAST MINUTE when the 56-year-old defied
the odds and retained his
vision, he committed to
FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS Dakar 2020. It looked to be
OF teams overlaying all over for Extance on stage
roadbooks onto satellite seven when a damaged rear
imagery in a bid to gain an wheel bought his Dakar to an
end, but a donor wheel from
advantage over competitors, another competitor put his
2020 saw the introduction race back on track.
of what the rally organisers “Dakar 2020 makes
called ‘sporting innovations’. overcoming a tumour a
As well as the roadbooks being breeze,” he joked.
supplied for the first time
in full colour – negating the
need for the riders to spend DIA-BEAT-IES
hours each evening with a Daniel Alberto Puig’s plight
flurry of highlighters marking to become the first insulin-

ON FOUR OF THE 12 the following day’s terrain to finish Dakar was curtailed
dependant Type 1 diabetic

and hazards – on four of the
STAGES, ROADBOOKS 12 stages, roadbooks were for the second year in a row
when the engine on his
presented to riders just 15
WERE PRESENTED TO minutes before the start. seventh stage. The 47-year-
Husqvarna blew during the
“The terrain was sweet,
RIDERS JUST 15 MINUTES it’s tough navigation but the old hasn’t lost sight of his goal
and intends to go back and
BEFORE THE START roadbook is incredibly good,” achieve his dream.
eventual winner Brabec said
half-way through the event.
AUBERT OUT

TOBY PRICE HAD Champion Johnny Aubert’s
Two-time World Enduro

comeback ride came
AN UP-AND- 39-year-old crashed just two
to abrupt halt when the

kilometres short of the end
of the last day before the rest
DOWN YEAR day, resulting in head and rib
injuries and his withdrawal

attempt in nine years.
DESPITE SCORING HIS fifth podium in six from what was his third Dakar

attempts, 2020 was largely a year to forget for the
defending Dakar champ. A torn roadbook and a
navigational error put the Aussie on the back foot in
the early stages of the race, dropping him back to ninth
in the overall standings after just two stages. He had
clawed his way up to third place by the end of the sixth
stage, but was the first rider to come across the crash

scene that took veteran Portuguese Dakar rider Paulo
Goncalves’ life during the seventh stage. He stopped to
help the fallen rider and spent almost an hour and a half
at the scene assisting the medical crew.
“I helped assist carrying him to the helicopter as it

was the right thing to do,” said Price, who finished one
place behind Goncalves in third when he claimed his

maiden Dakar podium on debut back in 2015. “I was first
at his side and wanted to be the last to leave.”



amcn.com.au 111

Dakar

AUSSIE ROD FAGGOTTER


SCORED HIS BEST-EVER



5DAKAR FINISH




WITH BACKING FROM Yamaha Australia, enduro veteran
Rod Faggotter rode his privateer bike to his best-ever Dakar
finish in 2020, finishing the race in 13th place ahead of some
big names of the rally world. The Queenslander bettered both
his 2013 result of 14th and 2018 result of 16th this year. His best
stage result came at the end of stage 10, in which he finished
sixth, just over four minutes off the winner.
“Wow, it’s done!” he said following the event. “The riders in
front of me are the best rally riders in the world and most of
them full-time athletes – I’m pumped to be near and amongst
these guys!”


AUSTRALIA CHEERED ON



TWO ROOKIESFOR2020




AS IF BEING a Dakar
rookie isn’t tough enough,
Australian former school
teacher Trevor Wilson
(Husqvarna) was one of just 40
riders who entered in the unassisted
Original by Motul category.
“I was cruising through life as a
school teacher and asked myself what
regrets I might have and that was the
Dakar Rally, a race I had always dreamt of,” he said. “I told my friends
about it and they laughed.”
After more than a few setbacks which included stolen bikes and car
crashes, the 29-year-old lined up in Saudi Arabia to achieve his dream.
He finished 17th in the category, was the 15th ranked rookie and

placed 76th overall.
Rookie Matt Tisdall (KTM) – who has only been riding motorbikes
for the last six years – outclassed many high-profile riders by simply



making the finish line. He finished 96th. And to prove how hard he
worked for it, Brabec took 40 hours and two minutes to complete the
2020 rally. Tisdall spent 80 hours and 27 minutes on the bike to reach the
end – a heroic effort.































Saudi Arabia showed off some
landscapes that might as well
have been on Mars


112 amcn.com.au

JAUME BETRIU WAS THE BROTHERLY LOVE


“It’s very nice to ride the Dakar
7HIGHEST-PLACED ROOKIE KTM’s Luciano Benavides said
with my brother,” Red Bull


NO LESS THAN 38 riders lined up for their first-ever after the sixth stage riding
alongside factory Honda-
Dakar Rally, including former British and Junior World mounted older brother Kevin.

Enduro champ Jamie McCanney (Yamaha), Czech “Today is the first stage where
five-time domestic motocross champ Martin Michek we’ve really ridden together
(KTM) and seven-time Indian Motocross Champion and it’s very special.”
The Honda rider’s fourth
Harith Noah Koitha Veettil (Sherco). In the end, it stage ended in tears, literally,
was Spain’s Jaume Betriu – and, incidentally, 10-time just 45km shy of the finish

Dakar finisher Laia Sanz’s boyfriend – who claimed line when his engine cried no
the coveted Rookie of the Year title from McCanney. more. He ended up getting
Michek was on equal pegging with the Spanish a tow to the finish line by a

rider during the majority of the rally, but finished fellow competitor and lost
over an hour behind McCanney on the penultimate 3h37m to teammate Brabec.
stage, putting paid to any rookie honours. Betriu He started the last day of the
and McCanney were separated by 10m26s after the opening week in third place
completion of the 12th and final stage. overall and 11 minutes down,
and ended it in 28th position,
4h04m04s in arrears.
















UP AND COMERS


Honda’s Jose Ignacio Cornejo

claimed his first-ever stage
victory on the fourth. The win
proved why Honda chose the
AUSSIE BEN Goncalves for 2020. This year
26-year-old Chilean rider to
replace the outgoing Paulo
YOUNG SURVIVED was his fourth Dakar Rally and
now with three top-10 Dakar

finishes to his name, he is
8A BIG OFF setting himself up to be a future
star of cross-country rally.
Botswana man Ross Branch
also claimed his maiden stage
AFTER PRICE AND Faggotter, Ben Young was the win on the second.

next-best placed Aussie, finishing 58th in what was
his second consecutive Dakar Rally. After fracturing

his hand on the fifth stage last year and riding through SCRATCHED AND

the pain to finish 51st, the self-funded KTM rider came
back for more in 2020, despite vowing 12 months ago he SHORTENED
wouldn’t. The Melbourne man was lucky to walk away
from a fast crash on stage nine but rode a consistent Stage 8 was cancelled in
race right to the end. memory of Goncalves, and

His best stage finish came after the rest day when he stage 10 was cut short. By

finished the day in 55th. then, only two-thirds of the 158
motorcycle entries remained
with 105 riders roaring away
from the bivouac to start the
10th stage, which traversed a
desert larger than France aptly
known as the ‘Empty Quarter’.
But organisers called time at
the 345km mark due to strong
BEN YOUNG WAS winds, handing Joan Barreda
his first stage win this year.

LUCKY TO WALK AWAY “We had fewer helicopters
and a lot of wind, so we
FROM A FAST CRASH couldn’t guarantee optimum
safety conditions,” race
ON STAGE NINE director David Castera. “And
we don’t take risks.”


amcn.com.au 113

Dakar
ROMANIAN

HUBERT AURIOL RIDER EMANUEL


GYENES WON
9ROCKED UP! 10THE ORIGINAL






FRENCH OFF-ROAD star Hubert Auriol, who became the first BY MOTUL CLASS
person to celebrate Dakar wins on both two wheels and four,
rocked up to the Saudi Arabian-based event during this year’s ON HIS 10TH Dakar attempt, KTM rider and newly crowned Dakar
rest day. The now 67-year-old rode a BMW R 80 G/S to both Legend Emanuel Gyenes won the unassisted Original by Motul
the 1981 and 1983 Dakar victory, before taking the car spoils
in 1992 in a Mitsubishi Pajero. The John Surtees of the Dakar class by finishing 1h12m ahead of French rider Benjamin Melot
world then went on to become the event’s director, which (KTM). Australia’s Trevor Wilson did a sterling job in what was his
he did for nine years, and he’s responsible for launching the first-ever Dakar, finishing 17th in the class, the second highest
rally’s unassisted Malle Moto class, which still runs today ranked rookie in the iron man category.
under the Original by Motul guise.
“Bikers give a special dimension to this race because a
biker is fragile, and a biker has to deal with everything alone,”
he said during this year’s event. “He takes decisions alone. He
navigates alone. He repairs his bike on his own. He has to be
in charge. There’s a heroic side to bikers – it’s an exploit to just STAGE 6 WAS A

finish the race on a bike.”
TURNINGPOINT






HINDSIGHT’S A wonderful thing
and, on reflection, there were plenty
of incidents which occurred on the
sixth stage of the Dakar Rally which
set the course, set the scene and set
Brabec’s lead in stone.
The previous day, the tables
appeared to be turning for the
successful KTM squad, who
struggled to keep the hugely
determined factory Honda team
in its sights. Just when there
were four KTMs in the top-five
stage rankings, 2017 winner Sam
Sunderland suffered a nasty crash
187km into the special, in which
the Briton cracked six vertebrae
2020 DAKAR TOP 10 AFTER 12 OF 12 STAGES and a shoulder blade, ending his
2020 rally.
POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME Teammate Price flew the orange
1 R Brabec USA Hon 40h02m36s flag and went on to win his second
2 P Quintanilla Chi Hus +16m26s stage of the 2020 event, leap-
3 T Price Aus KTM +24m06s frogging from fourth in the general
4 J Ignacio Cornejo Chi Hon +31m43s
5 M Walkner Aut KTM +35m00s standings up to second.
6 L Benavides Arg KTM +37m34s Stage six, the last before the well-deserved rest day and the first real
7 J Barreda Bort Spa Hon +50m57s day of sand dunes, Price lead out, but his rear tyre had other ideas and,
8 F Caimi Arg Yam +1h42m36s just as he’d conceded to continue the stage riding on the rim, Rockstar
9 S Howes USA Hus +2h04m01s Husqvarna rider Andrew Short offered his rear tyre to the KTM rider.
10 A Short USA Hus +2h10m40s “For me I had a really good day going, then I just had to be a team
player. It was a long ride in the desert [with no rear tyre],” Short said.
And while Short’s teammate Quintanilla probably wouldn’t have been
too happy that the American helped his closest rival, it proved how far
the parent company was prepared to go to stop big red running away
with the win. Rather remarkably, the whole incident only cost Price
16m30s, but Brabec went on to win, putting over 25 minutes between him
and his closest rival.
“It’s frustrating cos you risk your life all day, then you lose some time
for something that’s out of your hands,” said Price.
But little did he know, the setback would take a far higher toll on his
campaign, for it meant he would start a fair way down the order in 11th,
three places behind Hero’s Paulo Goncalves…



114 amcn.com.au

FIVE WOMEN STARTED

(AND FINISHED) THIS

11YEAR’S DAKAR RALLY


LONG-TIME KTM rider and newly crowned
Dakar Legend Laia Sanz was on board
Gas Gas machinery for 2020. This year the 34-year-old started her 10th


Dakar Rally, with a worst place finish of 93rd and a best place finish of

ninth, and is one of the very few riders who can lay claim to finishing
every Dakar she’s started.
South African riders Taye Perry and Kirsten Landman both made
their Dakar debuts in 2020, finishing 77th and 55th, respectively. French


rider Mirjam Pol was back for her eighth edition of Dakar and finished
the event in 41st overall. After failing to finish in her rookie attempt last

year, Spanish rider Sara Garcia was back for 2020 and, competing in the
Original by Motul category alongside boyfriend Javier Vega Puerta, she
finished 22nd in the unassisted category, and 86th overall. This is how

HUSQVARNA AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE our boys fared,
stage by stage
RIDER ANDREW Stage 1 Stage 7

SHORT OFFERED RANKING STAGE GENERAL RANKING STAGE GENERAL

1
1
Toby Price
Toby Price
4
7
HIS REAR TYRE TO Rod Faggotter 25 25 Rod Faggotter 29 13
KTM RIDER PRICE Ben Young 92 92 Ben Young 55 63
84
Trevor Wilson
128
128
Trevor Wilson
85
Matthew Tisdall 129 129 Matthew Tisdall 99 143
Stage 2 Stage 8
RANKING STAGE GENERAL RANKING STAGE GENERAL
Toby Price 17 9 Toby Price 7 4
Rod Faggotter 18 19 Rod Faggotter 29 13
Ben Young 93 88 Ben Young 55 63
Trevor Wilson 112 121 Trevor Wilson 85 84
Matthew Tisdall 132 130 Matthew Tisdall 99 143

Stage 3 Stage 9
RANKING STAGE GENERAL RANKING STAGE GENERAL
Toby Price 5 6 Toby Price 2 3
Rod Faggotter 14 15 Rod Faggotter 18 13
Ben Young 92 88 Ben Young 73 62
Trevor Wilson 91 108 Trevor Wilson 72 81
Matthew Tisdall 125 124 Matthew Tisdall 104 99

Stage 4 Stage 10
RANKING STAGE GENERAL RANKING STAGE GENERAL
Toby Price 6 4 Toby Price 4 4
Rod Faggotter 18 17 Rod Faggotter 6 13
Ben Young 66 76 Ben Young 76 60
Trevor Wilson 95 97 Trevor Wilson 51 78
Matthew Tisdall 122 120 Matthew Tisdall 100 97


Stage 5 Stage 11
RANKING STAGE GENERAL RANKING STAGE GENERAL
Toby Price 1 2 Toby Price 5 3
Rod Faggotter 23 17 Rod Faggotter 18 13
Ben Young 66 71 Ben Young 58 57
Trevor Wilson 94 94 Trevor Wilson 80 76
Matthew Tisdall 115 113 Matthew Tisdall 94 96


Stage 6 Stage 12
RANKING STAGE GENERAL RANKING STAGE GENERAL
Toby Price 11 3 Toby Price 3 3
Husqvarna and KTM Rod Faggotter 15 13 Rod Faggotter 22 13
reminded everyone that Ben Young 60 66 Ben Young 72 58
when push comes to shove, Trevor Wilson 84 88 Trevor Wilson 63 76
it’s one big ‘happy’ family Matthew Tisdall 102 108 Matthew Tisdall 100 96

amcn.com.au 115

race report




YOUR FORTNIGHTLY FIX





International Island Classic Phillip Island



















































Australia’s Day




Our fiercely determined Aussies defended the coveted

International Challenge trophy from the strongest American

squad we’ve ever seen. But it was close


REPORT HAMISH COOPER PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES O’HAGAN

wenty four laps inch of canvas and every corner allies to their young explaining that his engine
at full throttle at corner is contested. There sparring partners. Alex Phillis “went sour”.
Phillip Island’s is no room for glass jaws, be and Jed Metcher had to dig Five laps later Metcher,
Grand Prix careful for the low blow and, deep to beat a pumped-up riding the Yamaha FJ1200-
Tcircuit adds up most importantly, don’t pull Team USA. based racer Troy Corser ran at
to 106.68km of fast and any punches. Here’s how it unfolded. the front of the pack in 2017,
undulating tarmac that Sounds like the perfect was the first into the magical
involves just 48 slow corners. Australia Day celebration of Qualifying 38s, with a lap of 1:38.728s.
Horsepower, top speed and classic motorcycle racing. Phillis, a race winner here Qualifying Two, for the
bravery under brakes at the And that’s what happened in 2017, made his intentions slowest 50 riders, saw Hayes
few slow corners here decide when our national team just clear from the first moment out on teammate (and
who will win and who will held off an unexpectedly of qualifying. On his first Island Classic newcomer)
lose. Condense this into a strong effort from Team USA flying lap he laid down a Jordan Szoke’s FJ. His time
series of four six-lap sprint to retain the International 1min39.012secs time on his of 1m38.575s looked good
races and this iconic circuit Challenge trophy. Suzuki replica XR69 Suzuki. enough for a front-row start.
changes completely. Last year Australia’s Things didn’t start well That was until Qualifying
A vast amphitheatre of grizzled old prize fighters, for America’s 2019 star and Two for the top 50 riders,
motorsport becomes an old- Steve Martin and Shawn multiple US AMA Superbike where Phillis laid down a
school, eight-metre square Giles, guided us to a 42-point champion Josh Hayes. He 1m38.314s on his first flying
tent boxing ring where every win. This year they acted as pitted after just one lap, lap, then Metcher raised the


116 amcn.com.au

Track Attack
Main. Under perfect skies (sorry Valentino...) 1. Josh Hayes backed up his win the final race of 2019 with a first-
up victory this year 2. Jed Metcher (22) and Alex Phillis (20) were this close all weekend 3. Hayes had to hunt Island Classic
down Phillis and Metcher after slow starts in all his races 4. It was almost elbow down for Metcher as he rode his Phillip Island, Australia
Yamaha to the limit














6
7 3
5
8
9 4 1 2


10
11


12


Top five finishers
POS RIDER NAT BIKE
Race One
1 J HAYES USA YAM
2 A PHILLIS AUS SUZ
3 J METCHER AUS YAM
4 L PEGRAM USA YAM
5 S MARTIN AUS SUZ
Race Two
1 A PHILLIS AUS SUZ
2 J METCHER AUS YAM
3 L PEGRAM USA YAM
4 S MARTIN AUS SUZ
5 J HAYES USA YAM
1
Race Three
1 A PHILLIS AUS SUZ
2 J METCHER AUS YAM
3 J HAYES USA YAM
4 S MARTIN AUS SUZ
5 A MORRIS AUS SUZ

Race Four
1 J HAYES USA YAM
2 J METCHER AUS YAM
3 A PHILLIS AUS SUZ
4 M GILBERT USA YAM
5 J SZOKE USA YAM

International Challenge –
National points
AUSTRALIA 704 POINTS
AMERICA 691 POINTS
UNITED KINGDOM 423 POINTS


2 Individual: Ken Wootton
Memorial Trophy
POS RIDER BIKE NAT POINTS
1 ALEX PHILLIS 1980 SUZUKI 1260 XR69 AUS 157
3 4 2 JED METCHER 1984 YAMAHA FJ1200 AUS 155
3 JOSHUA HAYES 1983 MOJO YAMAHA CMRF5 USA 154
4 STEVE MARTIN 1982 SUZUKI KATANA AUS 144
5 MICHAEL GILBERT 1983 YAMAHA CMRFJ USA 140
6 LARRY PEGRAM 1983 YAMAHA CMRFJ1250 USA 137
7 JORDAN SZOKE 1983 MOJO YAMAHA CMR FJ USA 130
8 TAYLOR KNAPP 1983 MOJO YAMAHA CMR FJ USA 130
9 BEAU BEATON 1982 IRVING VINCENT P5 AUS 127
10 SHAWN GILES 1982 SUZUKI KATANA AUS 121
TOP SCORER FOR THE UK
12 BRENDAN WILSON SUZUKI HARRIS F1 UK 112













amcn.com.au 117

race

report




International Island Classic Phillip Island
























1


2 3























Fireworks were expected but what


happened was totally unexpected







stakes even higher. row. Heading the third row winning the final race last restart, leaving half the field
His 1m37.248s lap put was Hayes, fellow American year, Hayes had warned his trapped in pitlane.
him on pole, with Phillis Michael Gilbert and Shawn rivals at Friday night’s welcome US captain Dave Crussell
eventually clocking 1m37.354s Giles (Katana), with Beau event that he might become a pleaded with sign language to
to grab second. Beaton (Irving Vincent), “torpedo” on race day. race control and eventually
The real surprise was last American Taylor Knapp Fireworks were expected but they were released. However,
year’s points winner Martin. (Yamaha-powered XR69 what happened a few hundred we now had half the field
The only other rider in the 37s, replica) and Craig Ditchburn metres into the race was waiting on the startline with
he put his unfaired Katana (Yamaha TZ750) making up totally unexpected. engine temperatures rising
into third (1m37.870s). the fourth row. Ditchburn’s TZ suddenly while the rest made their way
“I’m the only genuine period Ditchburn had created a stir snapped sideways in Turn around the track.
Superbike on the front row,” he with a lap time of 1m39.688s Two and the resulting crash The race quickly became
said later, referring to how the on his Yamaha TZ750. brought down Wilson, Neeves, a tussle between Phillis,
XR69-based racers are really The best Team UK qualifiers American Jorge Guerrero Metcher and Martin. Hayes
old Formula One machines. were Suzuki Harris F1 replica and Aussie John Allen, with quickly worked his way
So the grid looked like riders Brendan Wilson in his teammate Scott Webster through from seventh to fifth
this: Metcher, Phillis and 16th, just ahead of teammate taking to the grass to avoid and as they came onto to the
Martin on the front row, Michael Neeves. the pile-up and a burning main straight for the first
with Katana-based riders motorcycle. time, he slipstreamed himself
David Johnson, Aaron Morris Race One “It was like a bomb going into second place.
ahead of American Larry Tensions were sky high as the off,” Webster said later. A fascinating freight train
Pegram (Yamaha-powered grid formed. Disappointed Tensions boiled over when developed with the top six
XR69 replica) on the second with his qualifying effort after track entry was closed for the riders circulating only around



118 amcn.com.au

1. A classic freight train of International Challenge riders at MG corner 2. Steve Martin, last year's highest
points scorer, gets his race face on 3. Dave Crussell (17) pleads with officials to let the field loose for the Race
One restart 4. Cam Donald finished 12th, 10th, 12th and 11th to boost Australia's points tally 5. Melissa Paris had
just mastered the intricacies of racing a TZ750 around Phillip Island when it expired in Race 3 6. Hayes gave a
masterclass in race craft to win the final race, setting up a mighty showdownfor 2021



Classic catches
4
KW Trophy winner,
a humble hero
Two wins, a second and a third gave Alex
Phillis a two-point win over Jed Metcher with
Josh Hayes just one point behind in third. “I’m
pumped to win,” said Phillis. “Everyone has their
day at this meeting and this year it was my turn.
We had a good pace all weekend. The fact that
my bike is built more to Period Five than Period
Six means I have a skinny rear tyre that gives me a faster entry speed
that I have to carry through the corners. I made it all work for me this
weekend.”

“We ain’t done yet”
Josh Hayes summed up an ultimately
frustrating weekend. "It was never going to be
easy,” he said. “We built a strong team this year
and came close but we ain’t done yet.” USA team
leader Dave Crussell revealed the battle plan
formulated before the final race. “We had worked
all weekend as a team to get so close. I just said
to them to get in front of any Aussie they could
and just go for it. Ultimately we lost this year but we ended up with
five riders in the top 10 overall. We will be back in 2021.”

The UK’s new focus
Team UK, which included several European
riders in breach of a forthcoming Brexit, had a
world view on the event. “After the years of Team
Winfield we are starting afresh,” said leader
Tony Hart. “This year we are racing with true
period bikes. We even had two riders on 80hp
Ducatis who weren’t lapped. Rules are changing
in the UK and Europe to allow 16-valve Yamaha
engines in so we will come back with more competitive bikes built for
more than just one event. Our immediate ambition is to encourage the
5 Kiwis and Irish to return with a mix of professional and club racers.”


6

race

report




International Island Classic Phillip Island


































1 2





















five seconds off the ASBK out the top 10. finishes and a team effort are. all turned to custard as he
Superbike times. Hayes The highest scoring Team But to do this required skill, selected a false neutral going
took the lead from Phillis UK riders were Brendan cool heads and self-belief. into Turn Four.
in a stunning overtake that Wilson in 13th and Alex Metcher and Phillis battled Lucky not to crash, he
had Phillis telling him: “You Sinclair in 15th. early for the lead, with rejoined to finish fifth. Phillis
scared the shit out of me.” “I kept a tight line coming Johnson running strongly won his duel with Metcher
As the race wound down onto the main straight for the in third before brake issues to take his first Challenge
he seemed to pace himself to finish to protect my lead and forced his retirement. Hayes win since 2017, when he
control the race. Meanwhile it blew my drive to the line,” again charged through and by beat Jeremy McWilliams.
Phillis and Metcher were said Hayes, indicating he lap three was challenging for Metcher finished just 0.387
running side-by-side into thought he was lucky to win. the lead and running at near behind with Pegram, the
Turn One in a desperate battle lap-record pace. quiet achiever, finishing
for second. Race Two By lap four just 0.4secs 4.5secs behind the Aussie
Phillis set the fastest lap A pivotal race of the covered the top three. It was in third. Martin was fourth,
of the race in the run to the weekend, Team USA dragged breathtaking to watch these with Gilbert sixth and Morris
flag (1m37.087s), but Hayes themselves to within three riders three abreast into Turn seventh.
held him off for a split-second points of Australia despite One to start lap 5. Jordan Szoke, a multiple
victory, with Metcher just only one of their riders Hayes emerged from the Canadian Superbike
0.050secs behind Phillis. making the podium. Southern Loop in front and champion and Phillip Island
Fourth was Larry Pegram, Having five of their riders extended his lead by two debutant, finished a strong
earning vital points for Team finish in the top 10 showed seconds, looking in total eighth, with teammate Knapp
America. Over the weekend how important consistent control. On the last lap, it ninth, ahead of Giles.
he would become a sort of
enforcer for the Yanks while
he gained valuable points. Team USA dragged themselves to
Behind him was Martin,
Johnson, Gilbert, Knapp and within three points of Australia
Beaton, with Giles rounding



120 amcn.com.au

Main. Hayes splits the Aussies 1. Despite a 15-sec jump-start penalty in Race Two, Shawn Giles racked up a
valuable 121 points overall for Australia 2. Wally Campbell was reunited with his 1983 Bathurst-winning Honda
VRF Superbike. “It was a game-changer,” he said of the 860cc V-four 3. Aaron Morris (64) slices past American
Taylor Knapp (44) 4. Phillip Island first-timer, Canadian legend Jordan Szoke, was the meeting's big improver




achieve a maiden Challenge briefs
victory.
They nearly did both, but
Australia’s old dogs of war Killer effort from Keo

guided the young guns home. Keo Watson made a clean-
Martin and Giles finished 7th sweep of his classes to win the
and 10th to add crucial points Phil Irving trophy for overall
to one of the closest finishes in winner across all classes outside
the Challenge’s history. the International Challenge.
“It’s a real ‘wanted to get this
Team USA came agonisingly moment’,” said the son of Aussie
close, with Hayes winning, champ Ken Watson. Keo showed
Gilbert and Szoke fourth skill and consistency racing
and fifth. Knapp came home  ­€s and early ’‚€s two-strokes
eighth but it could have been with just four years experience
3 4 very different. under his belt.
Tough guy Pegram had
survived the weekend as a Kiwi’s mammoth

front runner and was in the effort
running for a podium early. Jason Easton had big shoes to
Then his gearbox broke up and fill. The G‰€ McIntyre Matchless
he raced had previously
he could only change up to won an Australian Pre- ‹Œ
third. championship. He didn’t
“I kept going to bring home disappoint owner and tuner Ross
as many points as I could,” he Graham with some giant-killing
said, summing up a true team efforts in combined classes. Also
effort to finish 14th. racing an early-’‚€s Yamaha
As the race started, the two-stroke, he ended up with
usual three suspects slugged three trophies at prizegiving.
it out for the lead. Hayes took
Let me race more
control on lap three. Using Beau Beaton, who returned
all his years of experience, he from a horror crash at last year's
stretched it out for a 1.4sec win Challenge to help Australia to
over Metcher. win, wants to race in ASBK. “We
Both Pegram and Giles running wide at Turn Four. Running a comfortable need to get a national Pro Twins
were hit with a 15-second The final run down into third, Phillis suddenly lost Class/Naked class going to
penalty for a jump start. A Turn 10 looked hairy with the momentum on lap five compliment the new focus on
US protest restored Pegram’s trio trying to out-smart each but regained pace to put Juniors,” he said. “This will add
position while Giles was other with different lines. As in the fastest race time another dimension to the series
relegated to 12th, promoting a drag race developed to the (1m36.665sec) on the last lap. and help with spectator interest.
I know of a lot of eligible twins
the Irving Vincent duo of line, Phillis ran dangerously Just as well, as fast finishing and nakedbikes lying around
Cam Donald and Beaton to close to the pitlane wall to American duo of Gilbert and ready to go.”
10th and 11th. avoid being slipstreamed. Szoke looked ready to strike.
He won by just 0.077secs, As the dust settled there
Race Three with Hayes a miniscule were many opinions being
It was time for Australia to 0.627sec behind Metcher. shared among the racers.
shut down the Hayes-Pegram Martin was fourth and Morris Szoke, the big improver of
show and Phillis did it in fifth. Pegram, Gilbert, Knapp the weekend, summed up the
style, clocking up his second and Szoke bagged a swag of mood of the meeting and the
win of the weekend. points for Team USA coming magnificence of the unique
“I find it easier to follow sixth, seventh, ninth and Phillip Island circuit.
than lead,” Phillis said after 10th. Beaton finished eighth. “It’s awesome to be nearly
Race One. “I can follow all day Australia now had a in the 36s after just a couple of
long so I need to use it to my 12-point buffer going into days here,” he said. “It’s some
advantage later in the race.” the final showdown. Was it of the most fun I’ve ever had on
He did exactly this, hunting enough? a motorcycle and Phillip Island
down Metcher while dragging might be replacing Suzuka as
Hayes along for another wild Race Four my Number One circuit.”
ride. In a bold move he closed Mathematically, Team USA Bring on 2021. And
right up on Metcher at the needed to fill the podium remember that Josh Hayes will
end of the main straight on or kick as many Aussies as return as the winner of Race
lap five, taking the lead then possible out of the top 10 to Four in 2020, just like 2019.



amcn.com.au 121

sport








MotoGP

Ducati launches GP



Horsepower gains and mid-corner agility still the target

DUCATI CORSE BOSS Gigi 350km/h top speeds. “We still have some – which field the definitive
Dall’Igna has been drawn But Ducati’s long suffering work to do on the chassis V4s of modern-era MotoGP –
into a risky horsepower war riders are desperate for evolutions, that is our could be a setback for in-line
against Honda for the 2020 a chassis solution to the priority, at the Sepang and four cylinder rivals Yamaha
MotoGP season. Dall’Igna slow mid-corner turning Qatar tests where we will and Suzuki.
revealed the strategy at the that is entrenched in the also have new swingarm The faster corner speed
2020 Ducati team launch in Desmosedici’s DNA. design,” said Dall’Igna. and sublime handling of the
Bologna, but denied that Unless a new chassis The Bologna launch Yamaha YZR-M1 and Suzuki
the power chase would configuration fixes that mainly featured the GSX-RR is blunted by the
distract him from Ducati’s issue, the championship cosmetics of a fresh paint ‘free’ time gained on the
primary weakness. hopes of Ducati, Dall’Igna job and stickers with carbon straights and into braking
“It’s easier to win races and lead rider Andrea fibre wheel covers, but not zones by faster, higher-
if you have the fastest bike Dovizioso will be weakened. the GP20 chassis layout and horsepower V4 machines.
on the track, it’s important A final solution to chassis aero fairings with which In 2019, the Honda and
to have more horsepower issues is the pressure facing Ducati will start the season Ducati V4s combined to
than your competitors,” Dall’Igna for 2020, not at the Qatar Grand Prix. win 15 of 19 races, leaving
said Dall’Igna as he claimed whether the GP20 edges The reality of 2020 Yamaha and Suzuki to share
that chassis development Honda by a few kays an hour performance will only take two wins apiece.
remains a priority. in top speed. shape from the Sepang test No surprise that Yamaha
A power-up V4 is the That must be the focus of although Dall’Igna states the star Valentino Rossi hopes
response to the stinging pre-season testing which obvious by noting “our most that a late Christmas present
setback of Honda’s top speed opens at Sepang over 7-9 important competitor will be will be a Yamaha engine
resurgence in 2019 that saw February, which will be the Marc Marquez and Honda.” “that is 10km/h faster in the
the RC213V easily matching first public outing of the The horsepower war straight.” Rossi will get his
Ducati’s once-untouchable prototype GP20. between Ducati and Honda answer at the Sepang test.
COLIN YOUNG


Is this the year
Dovi and Ducati
celebrate the title?

How to
MotoGP briefs
beat Marc



DUCATI SPORTING DIRECTOR
Paolo Ciabatti has revealed
the three-step strategy with
which it will try and end the
domination of Marc Marquez.
Fed up with being the
bridesmaid to the Spanish
superstar, Ciabiatti said:
“With the 2020 Ducati we are
V4 chases V4 at the bringing some new ideas
front of the field because to challenge Marquez
for the championship you need
Bologna three things.
“First you need a bike that
is superior to the Honda and
Bridesmaids with riders who are giving Legend Lorenzo
100 percent at all tracks,” he
said. “And then you hope that
Marquez will not maintain the Five-time world champ Jorge
FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE years Ducati and Andrea. same splendid form he has at Lorenzo is one of three riders
Ducati has been best of the rest in “But over the past three seasons the moment.” who will become MotoGP
MotoGP, succumbing only to the since 2017, apart from Marquez, Therein lies the problem. Legends during the course of
domination of Honda and its star Andrea has won more races than Marquez won 12 races last year 2020, with the recently retired

rider Marc Marquez. anyone. He has 12 wins and next and Dovizioso just two, well Spaniard joining five-time world
The tag sits uncomfortably best is Maverick Viñales (Yamaha) down from a career-high of six champ Kiwi Hugh Anderson, as
with the Ducati ahead of the 2020 on six. And last year we did wins in 2017. well as four-time world champ
season, as the factory and lead something no other manufacturer “Can Marquez be beaten? Max Biaggi. Lorenzo’s induction
rider Andrea Dovizioso have been achieved – Ducati got 17 podiums Yes, we believe so.” will take place at Jerez, the
close, but just not close enough. with three riders. circuit where he made his debut
“Marquez has done an “It was our best podium return as a 15-year-old and where he
incredible job, especially in since 2007 when we won the has a corner named after him.


2019 when he was either first or championship. We should be “To be able to win five World

second in every race he finished,” satisfied, but what are we here Championships is something


said Ducati sporting director for? To fight for the highest that far outweighs what I

Paolo Ciabatti. “He has made life number of podiums or fight for the expected, and to be a MotoGP

difficult for everyone, not just championship?” CY Legend is something even



more difficult to achieve. To be
named a Legend means you’ve
MotoGP left a mark on the people and
history of this sport.”
Iannone Biaggi’s induction will take
place at Mugello and the
location of 84-year-old
to miss TWO Anderson’s induction is still yet
to be announced. KEL BUCKLEY
Sepang? SIDES! Stoner’s fire sale

To hear Ant’s side of the
Casey Stoner has raised
story, refer back to his
ANDREA IANNONE WILL face exclusive tell-all column, $25,700 towards bushfire relief
an appeal hearing at the FIM’s which appeared in by auctioning off his Ducati
International Disciplinary Court AMCN Vol 69 leathers that he wore during
in Switzerland on 4 February No 20 his 2010 title winning season.
which almost certainly rules him The Alpinestars suit will
out of the Sepang test starting on be on duty i epan and likely the FIM his ban doesn’t end until remain in Australia with the
7 February. joined by superbiker Lorenzo September 2020. double world champ revealing
The FIM has up to 45 days to Savadori. Last year West sought a racing the winning bidder was from
confirm a penalty for Iannone’s And the latest episode in the haven in the non-FIM affiliated New South Wales.
positive drug samples taken at saga of Australian rider Ant Brazil Superbike Championship “A big thank you to everybody
last October’s Malaysian GP. That West and his two-year ban by but, rightly or wrongly, that who put in their time for this,” he
could also rule Iannone out of the FIM for a positive drug test option has now also been closed said, and by ‘time’ we’re sure he
the opening grand prix in Qatar, has played out alongside the by the FIM sanction. also means ‘cash’.
or longer, depending on the Iannone dramas. West, 38, was suspended by “The money is going to be going

severity of the penalty. Both angry and upset, West the FIM in January 2019 following out to the Australian bushfire
British rider and contracted has said he is “done” with racing a positive drug test at the 2018 relief and hopefully we can get
Aprilia tester Bradley Smith will after being formally reminded by Misano WorldSBK race. CY it out there as quick as I can.” KB


amcn.com.au 123

1. Leon Haslam got to work with Honda 2. Jonny Rea still has plenty of speed
sport 3. Scott Redding suited up on his WorldSBK-spec Ducati 4. Alex Lowes in now
in Kawa green



WorldSBK






























2


3 4
















1


Lights out on



WorldSBK




A wet start and tense finish for opening WorldSBK test of


NOTHING, NOT EVEN the go – just – into the 1m40s and In many ways the inside the top positions on
opening rainy day of the Jerez his time would remain on top, opening day was the most the opening day while, with
test could dull the interest although he only did 19 laps. unpredictable. And most no new bike to evaluate, Rea
shown in the new main Behind him was new Pata compelling. opted to sit the day out.
event for tech-heads – the Yamaha signing, Toprak As conditions changed the Long-time 2019 title leader
first public appearance of Razgatlioglu, and then Scott leading positions altered, but on an official HRC Honda
the comprehensively new Redding (Aruba.it Ducati), it was new HRC recruit Haslam Alvaro Bautista gave his
HRC Honda WorldSBK squad a rookie in WorldSBK for fastest in the afternoon, after comments on the new bike
and the equally unknown 2020 but one of the most his teammate Alvaro Bautista after the first day.
Fireblade at the two-day event experienced ones. He and took a slow-speed fall in the “I think the potential of the
over 22-23 January. Chaz Davies had new rear- morning. bike is quite high. It is difficult
Leon Haslam topped the wet end designs on their Ducati Van der Mark and his rookie to make a comparison (with
times on Wednesday with his Panigale V4 Rs. Davies would teammate Garrett Gerloff the Ducati). For me the main
new Fireblade, which added an finish 15th. (GRT Yamaha) were close thing is the engine character
extra frisson to what already Alex Lowes (KRT) improved behind Haslam and remained is the difference. I did not
looks like a strong WorldSBK his way to fourth, after having there for the first day – a make a lot of kilometres yet
season build-up even before his first truly wet laps on the confidence booster for the so is difficult to say what are
Round One in Australia at the Kawasaki on day one. Michael American. the aspects of the bike that I
end of February. van der Mark (Pata Yamaha) BSB Champion Redding like more. I was very surprised
Conditions improved on day was fifth overall, and Haslam was fourth fastest on day one, with the engine power because
two, enough to let five-times went from the leader on day while the versatile Loris Baz I expected less.”
champion Jonathan Rea (KRT) one to sixth on day two. (Ten Kate Yamaha) was also GORDON RITCHIE


124 amcn.com.au

WorldSBK WorldSSP


Bautista speaks a


CBR
RR-R



ALVARO BAUTISTA SPOKE about
the new highly anticipated Honda
Fireblade after a wet opening day
of the two-day Jerez test.
“For sure to have days like this
is not easy for testing, especially Tom
in the phase we are in now,
starting with a new bike,” said Toparis
the 2019 season runner up in
WorldSBK.
“But I am very happy because to take on
Honda has been working very
well in the winter and has made
a good effort. Today was the first the world
time in the wet conditions so
that was important to get some CURRENT AUSTRALIAN
data. We need to make more SUPERSPORT Champion Tom
kilometres in dry conditions to Is Honda’s new ‘Blade a Toparis will line up on the 2020
develop the bike. WSBK winner in waiting? World Supersport grid, after
“For me, this is very different having scored a seat with the
compared to the bike I used just tried a street version but any new bike or new bike you Benro Racing outfit for the
in the past; I always used the he told me he was impressed go to, the wet weather normally European rounds.
V4 engine and this is an inline with the engine, because he highlights all the issues, The Australian, who
(four-cylinder). I have to adapt expected, like me, less power. throttle connection, engine has scored points as a
also my riding style a little bit and But he said the engine was very braking, whatever. wildcard during the last two
understand the strong points of strong and very easy to ride. [His] “I think my out lap this Australian rounds of WorldSSP
this kind of engine.” first impression was positive morning went P1 straight away. championship, will race a
Bautista spoke to Marc so it helped me a bit to take a Honestly, my feeling was good Yamaha YZF-R6 at 10 of the 13
Marquez about his move, and decision.” from the very first lap. To only do WSSP rounds.
the bike itself after Marquez His Honda teammate Leon 14 laps and be quicker than some Toparis had a stellar 2019,
rode the roadbike in pre-release Haslam said he felt at home on of the guys that did probably 40 winning all but one of the races
marketing campaigns. the new machine immediately. or 50, shows already that the he contested in Australia and
“Yes, I spoke with him and he “Normally when you have base is already really strong.” GR gained international racing
experience in both the German
IDM Supersport category
WorldSBK and the British Supersport

Tough Restart For Davies And Ducati championship.
“I’m so grateful and lucky to
get this opportunity,” he said.
“I know what to expect after
THE RETURN TO action a number of wildcards, so
of Chaz Davies, and Davies has had hopefully I can start out with
what is a partially his first crash solid results and build as the
redesigned Panigale of 2020 season progresses. With the
V4 R, was not an easy Benro Racing Team and our
one, as he suffered experience last year racing
a fast crash that IDM, I’m feeling confident that
wrecked his bike on we can learn all the new tracks
day one. quickly. I’m looking forward to
According to an exciting step up to the World
Davies, the changes Supersport class in 2020.”
to the machine are all from what I know.” KEL BUCKLEY
towards the rear of With a new
the bike, completely teammate in Scott
altering the balance Redding for 2020,
that the Brit is used to. who is a similar size GUESS
“They just to Davies, surely
redesigned all the rear I did today the bike is working there is more data sharing, and WHAT?!
package, to do with the quite differently at the rear, so relevance? In one way no. Australia is one of the most

swingarm, link, the attachment we need to really get our heads “To be honest we have not successful nations in WorldSSP,
points, everything like that,” around what we need to do just really done too much together with 36 wins, 127 podiums and
said Davies. to recover the balance of the bike yet,” stated Chaz. “He is working 43 pole positions. The last
“Quite a big redesign and just – because the balance of the bike on his stuff and I am working on Aussie win came nine years
with just a few slow laps that today was completely far away mine.” GR ago when Broc Parkes won
the WorldSSP race in
Misano.

sport








ASBK

















Vale



Ian Irving, in colour, was a

key part of Yamaha’s
on-track successes and
Irving will be greatly missed



Aussie racing

scene mourns
a great and

generous mind


TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN week as he always liked to with Yamaha was immense. team with Jason O’Halloran
flowing for Aussie racing check in on me. You won’t A very dear friend to my and Mark Aitchison in 2006.
legend Ian Irving, who find him in social media. family and we will miss him “Prior to and at every
passed away on 17 January He was old school, no text, so much.” event Ian would speak with
after a battle with Acute he only called you. It wasn’t Newly appointed YRT all of our YRD supported
Myeloid Leukaemia. his racing knowledge I loved Superbike rider Aiden riders. Not only was he our
Highly respected about him. It’s the fact he Wagner wrote that he would ‘go to’ man for all technical
technical guru and a stood by me always, even in be dedicating the 2020 aspects on all our ‘R’ models,
generous mentor to many my recent darkest moments.” season to Irving, saying, he also helped guide and
past, present and, no doubt, The personal reflections “He’s been a stepping stone mentor many of our riders,
future champions, the racing continued, highlighting his for all racers coming through especially those of younger
world flooded social media kindness and willingness to the ranks (including myself) age just developing as road
with an outpouring of love give his time, with current for a long time. He truly was racers. Especially since 2010
for a man who will perhaps Supersport 300 star Zac levy an all-round top man.” I personally spoke with Ian
be remembered more for his commenting, “A great man Closely associated with almost daily, and like many
personal qualities than his that had so much time for so Yamaha his entire career, learned to respect both his
immense technical skill. many of us young racers. A YRT boss John Redding knowledge, technical ability
Ant West wrote, “This one lot of us wouldn’t be able to first started working with and judgement, I certainly
hurts in my heart. I talked do what we do if it wasn’t for Irving when they formed the will miss him.”
to him on the phone last Ian. The trust he put in us factory Yamaha Supersport MATT O’CONNELL

Rally
Three WHILE ALL EYES were on Toby Houlihan, Peter Caldwell was Matt Sutherland (KTM) who

finished a very credible seventh
Price and Co in the 2020 Dakar

and Matt Sutherland lined up
Aussies Rally, three other Aussies alongside the 74 other starter’s in overall, 5h45m59s behind
this year’s motorcycle category,
Botturi, after a string of top-10
were competing in a gruelling
as they raced from Monaco to

stage finishes.
international off-road race of
tackle
Dakar, Senegal.
“It was a crazy hard race,” he
their own, the 2020 Africa ECO
The bike category was won
said. “So many ups and downs.”
Race.
Held over 6500km, the off-
Albury resident Andrew
Africa road rally is held very much by Italy’s Alessandro Botturi Houlihan ended the event in 21st

(Yamaha), who finished the
in the spirit of the Paris-Dakar
position, 12h12m42s behind the
race in 48h47m30s, ahead
winner on board his Coca-Cola
of Norwegian Paul Anders
and traverses many of the
Eco same tracks as the original Ullevalseter and Briton Lyndon Energy-backed KTM, and now
Poskitt (KTM).
course across its 12 stages of
moves his focus to the 2021
Dakar Rally where he’s hopeful
The highest-placed Aussie
competition. Aussies Andrew
126 amcn.com.au

briefs
Speedway MXGP Australia and New Zealand’s

Evans on the up
Juniors MX boost
Australian Speedway Championships AUSSIE MOTOCROSS STAR to show everyone what I am motorcycle racing now include

efforts to promote Junior
motocross. The FIM Oceania
Mitch Evans has signed for
capable of,” the talented young
Junior Motocross Tri-Nations
Aussie said.
the reigning champion Team
Cup, to be held at Horsham
HRC squad for the 2020 MXGP
“I know it won’t be easy
over 4-5 April, will see the best

because the MXGP class is filled

season, for his first year in the
young riders from Australia,
New Zealand and France go
of everyone in the team I believe
Joining 2019 champ Tim
Three for competitive category. with top riders, but with the help Championship formats and rules,
head-to-head. Races will run
I am ready to go out there and
Gajser on the all-new Honda
under FIM Junior MX World
get some good results.
CRF450RW, 21-year-old Evans
“Each time I get on the
Lidsey will be eager to adapt to the machine I feel like I am and be the perfect lead-up event
larger-capacity machinery as
before the FIM Junior MX World
quickly as he can when the
improving and when I’m riding
season gets underway at the with Tim, I have the perfect Championships in Greece in
JAIMON LIDSEY WON his British Grand Prix on 1 March. gauge to see just how well I August. HAMISH COOPER
third consecutive Australian “It was a dream come true to am doing. He has been a great
Under 21 Speedway Solo sign with Team HRC at the end team mate so far but I know
Championship but he had a of last year, and even though the results are down to me and Future stars
much tougher battle than most I’ll be riding in a new class on that’s what I am concentrating Luke Killeen became only the
fans would have envisaged. a brand new bike, I feel ready on when the season begins.” KB third Western Australian rider to
After finishing fifth overall in win the Australian Under 16 125cc
the recent senior title, Lidsey Evans, R, Solo Speedway Championship
went to the Undera Park joins Honda at Pinjar Park Speedway on 17
Speedway on 25 January as and Gasjer January. Third-placed last year,
a red-hot favourite, but it was for 2020 and the winner of the past two
Zac Cook who won their Heat WA titles, Killeen triumphed
20 clash to finish on maximum ahead of South Australia Harry
points, with Jedd List the third Sadler, Victorian Riley McCarthy
rider going direct to the final. and another local, Mitchell

Matthew Gilmore recovered McDiarmid, in the final. Only
from a first ride fall to win the B four interstate riders headed to
final from Jacob Hook, Mitchell the west for the championship
Cluff and Cordell Rogerson, and weekend, and they made up
that made it three of last years’ the top two pairs in the Teams
finalists in the decider again. Championship the following
Cook did lead briefly in night. South Australian duo
the final before Lidsey took of 11-year-olds Harry Sadler
control, List finishing third and Ashley Jansen-Batchelor
ahead of Gilmore who fell and won with 27 points ahead of
remounted. a New South Wales/Victoria
A third Under 21 crown for team of James Pearson and
Lidsey leaves him matching Riley McCarthy on 23, with
the record of Travis McGowan Luke Killeen partnering Jack
and Darcy Ward – one win McDiarmid to take third on 22.
behind Leigh Adams, Chris The Australian Under 16 250cc
Holder and Max Fricke. Not a Championship was scratched
bad list of winners! due to lack of entries. PB
PETER BAKER
Champs clash
Former triple world champions
Houlihan took on Africa Jason Crump and Tai Woffinden


of competing the iconic event raced against each other again,
within the same squad. as they led their respective teams
“I had a couple of bad days and in two international clashes
a few really good days,” he said. on the same weekend as the
“[I had] very little sleep for 12 days Australian Junior Championships
and just enough food to keep at Pinjar Park. Woffinden had Dan


going each day. We saw the best Bewley and four riders with lower
and the worst of Northern Africa level league experience in Team
and it was an emotional and GB, while Crump (only called in
physical roller coaster.” after Rohan Tungate and Sam
Peter Caldwell ended the race Masters withdrew after the
in 36th place from an eventual 66 national title chase) got his best

finishers, 29h52m44s adrift. support from Cameron Heeps.
KEL BUCKLEY Team GB won both matches. PB

amcn.com.au 127

“I’M OFF TO SIGN UP





TO AMCN’S FREE





WEEKLY NEWSCAST!”






AMCN.COM.AU

sport





Where are they now? Greg McDonald – The Aussie with a brain for frames




“Going feet-first into a wall taught


me bent bikes don’t handle”




IN JULY 1993, Greg McDonald McDonald raced a yacht racing.”
took his GMD Computrack variety of bikes, At 15, McDonald joined the
chassis measuring machine to including this TZ350 NSW railways as an apprentice
Japan, where he demonstrated electrical mechanic. He
it to Hideo ‘Pops’ Yoshimura. bought a Honda S90 to get
He was 42 and had poured 11 home to Villawood and found
years into the project, with he enjoyed riding more than
fellow ex-racer Dr Richard sailing. A second job cleaning
‘Fred’ Bassett writing the meant he could afford a Ducati
software. It was make or break. Desmo 250.
“I had $20 and a ticket back to He started watching races
Sydney,” McDonald said. “If it at Oran Park, upgraded to a
hadn’t worked out, I’d have had Kawasaki Mach III and began
to leave the machine and revert racing. A switch to Bryan
to pressing crankshafts.” Hindle’s Yamaha TD2 saw him
He measured an F1 win four races at Calder and
endurance racer and told Pop’s set a C-Grade lap record at
daughter Namiko the price: Oran Park.
$80,000. “I crashed at Oran Park,
“Pops said, ‘this is the new restricted aerospace laser going feet-first into a wall.
frontier and I want to be the encoders to provide the That taught me bent bikes
first’, so he bought it.” measurement accuracy he don’t handle.”
Four months later, wanted. McDonald spent nine
McDonald made his first Next, Greg started using months working in Kevin
sale in Atlanta, Georgia the prototype to measure the Cass’s shop in Wollongong,
to Kent Soignier, who still geometry of racing machines. where he learned to press
runs a licensed Computrack Based on those measurements, crankshafts. He rose through
workshop. McDonald went on he developed a list of eight the racing ranks on a Yamaha
to sell 56 machines, licence key set-up parameters for a TZ350A and his last racing bike
34 workshops world wide racing machine. When he was a Suzuki RG500 Mk I.
and install machines in 70 applied these in Australia, first He spent five years pressing
locations. with Tony Hatton then Peter articles, tutorials and a website. cranks for two-stroke engines;
Buyers ranged from Honda Goddard’s Suzuki Superbike He describes himself as “it was just production work.
USA, BMW, KTM, Yamaha and all the distributor Teams pedantic. He’s hard to keep up So I went into chassis repair
USA to Team Roberts, Suzuki for Yamaha and Kawasaki and with when he’s in full flight; the in a new workshop with an
GP to Harley-Davidson. H-D a multitude of private teams, thoughts tumble out on topics imported alignment machine.
bought six, one for the VR1000 the riders began describing such as chain-pull moment, “But the machine was junk
project and the remainder for how their bikes felt “sweet”. tolerances and stiction. and the manufacturer frame
its product development and McDonald’s settings became He makes some striking specifications were inaccurate;
production line audit. “sweet numbers”. observations… I needed something that could
In 30 hectic years attending Greg McDonald is now 69, “The first one or two measure a complete bike.”
trade shows, establishing living in Sydney’s Inner West millimetres the front or rear Eleven years later he had
workshops and consulting, he and still consulting on racing suspension has to move one. Once he could measure
logged a million air miles. chassis – remotely, as he determines whether it will slip chassis and collect feedback
Computrack was born out has been doing for decades, or grip,” he says. he could analyse and fix them.
of McDonald’s dissatisfaction because he is troubled by Interestingly, McDonald McDonald set up for local
with chassis-checking tools noise at circuits. He still has came to motorcycles via ocean Superbikes, then international
then on the market and several licensed workshops to yacht racing. enduro, endurance, MX,
wanting to measure a complete support and flies sport kites, “I was born in Sydney but Superbike, Supersport and
bike. He had a workshop in goes mountain biking to clear spent 11 years in Tenterfield, GP teams. Machines with
Revesby in Sydney pressing his head and does his own Queensland. I was into his input have won six world
crankshafts and doing crash mountain-bike anti-squat billycarts and pulling old championships.
repairs. He created a three- suspension with a ‘Greg- telephones apart to see how Along the way he won 1988
axis linear probe, with a ulator’ pivot. they worked. Moving back Australian Innovation of the
carbon-fibre main frame he McDonald spreads the word to the city was a shock for a Year, but he is largely unsung,
dubbed ‘Boris’. He bought on chassis geometry, via tech free-range kid [and] I found even locally. DON COX


amcn.com.au 129

Australian Motorcycle News road test photographs are posed for by skilled, professional riders under controlled circumstances. Attempting to imitate their actions may be
dangerous. Australian Motorcycle News supports and endorses rider training and wearing protective riding gear. E-bikes on the cover, eh? There are some tasty pieces of
machinery on the horizon and the future looks inevitably electric, but you do have to wonder how that will change things like the Dakar. Two-wheelers and buggies humming through
the desert? What about those (mostly Russian) blokes in the Truck division? Nah... on the other hand, please pull this issue out again in 2030 and check for us.

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