Australian Road Rider - The TOP selling road bike magazine in Australia!!
INDIAN LAUNCHES THE 2025 SCOUT
It’s going to be a big year for Indian and its most popular model, the Scout. Recently the company hosted a launch of the 2025 models on the Gold Coast, and Australian Road Rider’s Phil James was there to sample the new bikes.
Comfortable, well built and looking good, Phil’s report will feature in a future issue of Australian Road Rider… keep an eye out for that one, this is the new platform for a brace of new models.
Indian Motorcycle
GET APPLE CARPLAY ON YOUR BIKE WITH CARPURIDE
The editor's FJR1300 is now rocking a Carpuride W702 – a 7-inch colour display which displays Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and its own interface for media, calls, navigation and more.
Carpuride make a few different models and it's the only way we've found to get a decent CarPlay experience that works with any gloves, doesn't cost a fortune, mounts up easily, is waterproof and reasonably robust (you'll need a bluetooth headset to get the best out of it… works perfectly with a Sena 50S).
There are a few different models too - widescreen and small screen to better suit different bike cockpits. There are discounts available now on some models, too, at carpuride.com.
Check out the video and read the review on roadrider.com.au
THE LAST V-TWIN PANIGALE?
Ducati has announced the Panigale V2 Superquadro Final Edition, which the company describes as “A token of gratitude and love for the Superquadro family of engines, the most sophisticated twin-cylinders ever produced by Ducati. The climax of a long series, which began over thirty years ago, of 90° V2 engines with desmodromic four valve per cylinder distribution.”
Just 555 will be produced, featuring high-value components complete an exclusive livery designed by Drudi Performance in collaboration with the Centro Stile Ducati.
It looks horn, too.
Read the press release on roadrider.com.au
Ducati Australia & New Zealand
# DucatiWorldPremiere2025
OUR TAKE ON THE BMW R 1300 GS ADVENTURE
It's blocky, it's big, it's heavy… but it's going to be one of the best touring bikes ever built, we'd reckon. The BMW Boxers with Adventure in their name are some of the most capable bikes around, if you're keen to take a passenger and/or heaps of luggage along for the ride.
And it'll be expensive.
And yeah, we'd like to ride one around Australia. Or the world.
BMW Motorrad Australia
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY NOW
To celebrate the USA’s Independence Day, Harley-Davidson invites riders to visit their local dealership this weekend for a special Demo Sale Weekend to embrace the motorcycle company’s iconic heritage with an abundance of special offers.
As an iconic US brand, the 4th of July is an important day for Harley-Davidson. In commemoration, riders can avail of countless price drops, giveaways, test rides, and special merchandise at their local dealerships.
THE AWESOME WALCHA RALLY - ON AGAIN IN NOVEMBER
Held on the third weekend in November (15-16 in 2024) every year, the Walcha Motorcycle Rally is fast becoming one of the ‘must do’ bike events in Australia.
For a start, there are awesome roads – sealed or dirt – just to get there. If that’s not enough reason, it’s a beautiful time in the mountains, Walcha being 1067m above sea level, and you’re visiting a town which is actively encouraging motorcyclists to visit.
There are organised rides, onsite camping, trade exhibitors, show & shine, postie bike events, enduro X, barrel racing, skills demos, Q&As, live music and more. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate all things motorcycling in a relaxed rural setting, with like-minded people.
This year’s program includes attendance by several world record holders. Wendy Crockett and Ian McPhee hold the Guinness World Record for the Longest journey on a motorcycle (129,082 km) in a single country (team) in 2022 in USA. Niki Zak with also be in attendance with her drag bike and display, the first woman in the world to eclipse 200mph on the 1/4 mile.
Tickets and info at www.walchamotorcyclerally.com.au
Walcha Motorcycle Rally
DUCATI'S FULLY-EQUIPPED ADVENTURE TOURING DESERT X DISCOVERY
Just announced by Ducati… $29,800 ride away in Australia…
The DesertX Discovery is the Ducati that comes ready to experience unforgettable adventures on and off-road thanks to "full optional" equipment that makes it ready to discover any destination. With the new DesertX Discovery you can enjoy your travels like never before, thanks to components designed to increase the comfort and protection of the bike and rider, sure not to go unnoticed with the gritty new Thrilling Black/Ducati Red livery.
The DesertX Discovery was created to be unstoppable on any terrain and for this reason it is equipped as standard with reinforced hand guards and engine guard with protection for the water pump, radiator grill and reinforced sump guard to protect the bike on the most difficult sections. The heated grips and the larger windshield increase comfort at low temperatures, and the central stand makes the motorcycle more stable, facilitating access to luggage during stops and maintenance operations on the chain and rear wheel.
The DesertX is the ideal travel companion even on road routes thanks to a nimble and precise chassis, which ensures easy and intuitive riding. For this reason, the Turn-by-turn navigator, which can be used through the Ducati Link App, guides the rider towards his destination clearly by showing the directions directly on the dashboard.
The DesertX is a versatile motorcycle, at ease on mixed alpine routes as well as on dirt tracks, thanks to a chassis based on a steel trellis frame, with long suspension travel, which makes it suitable for any adventure. At the same time, the triple homologation for the tyres allows you to choose between different possibilities: from solutions that favour road driving, to others more oriented towards off-road.
Ducati Australia & New Zealand
ROYAL ENFIELD EXTEND HIMALAYAN INTRODUCTORY PRICE
Just announced by Royal Enfield…
The Himalayan 450 will now be available from $8,990 Ride Away until July 31st. Due to shipping delays and overwhelming demand, we are extending the introductory promotional price end date for the Himalayan 450.
This extension gives all interested customers the chance to benefit from this special offer. Don’t miss out on our most pre-ordered motorcycle ever, as this offer will not extend beyond July 31st.
Also, the Kamet White colourway is now available in stores. Inspired by the snow-capped peaks of the majestic Himalayas and the rock formations that emerge from beneath. It comes standard with tubeless tyres, 3 years warranty and 3 years 24/7 roadside assistance.
Royal Enfield Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY
There's only a week to July 4, and to celebrate the USA’s Independence Day, Harley-Davidson invites riders to visit their local dealership over the 4th - 7th of July for a special Demo Sale Weekend to embrace the motorcycle company’s iconic heritage with an abundance of special offers.
As an iconic US brand, the 4th of July is an important day for Harley-Davidson. In commemoration, riders can avail of countless price drops, giveaways, test rides, and special merchandise at their local dealerships.
OUT AND ABOUT ON THE YAMAHA TRACER 7
If you're looking for a capable, easy to ride midrange touring bike, the new Yamaha Tracer 7 fills the bill. Affordable, nice to ride, not to big, not too small and fitted with just about everything you need without the bells-and-whistles of so many bigger and more expensive machines.
Check it out in Australian Road Rider issue #178, out now.
Yamaha Motor Australia
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY
To celebrate the USA’s Independence Day, Harley-Davidson invites riders to visit their local dealership over the 4th - 7th of July for a special Demo Sale Weekend to embrace the motorcycle company’s iconic heritage with an abundance of special offers.
As an iconic US brand, the 4th of July is an important day for Harley-Davidson. In commemoration, riders can avail of countless price drops, giveaways, test rides, and special merchandise at their local dealerships.
TRIUMPH’S ELVIS PRESLEY TRIBUTE
Elvis Presley loved riding… in particular he loved his Triumph Bonneville.
To celebrate this fact Triumph has announced the Bonneville T120 Elvis Presley Limited Edition, an exclusive Limited Edition run of 925 bikes world wide, available in July and August.
Triumph tell us the new machine is all about “Combining authentic style, performance and modern capability, with a beautifully detailed design scheme, this distinctive T120 takes styling cues from Elvis’ most iconic ’68 ‘Comeback Special’ performance.”
See your Triumph dealer with $26,990 and you can ride one away.
Motorcycles Australia
TOUR TESTING THE BMW R 1300 GS
Phil James and editor Nigel Paterson have been out testing the latest BMW R 1300 GS Triple Black, spending about 80% of our time on bitumen and the rest on mountainous dirt roads.
Road Rider tests bikes for the suitability as touring machines in Australia, on our rough bitumen and endless dirt roads, knowing our readers are looking for comfort, practicality, reliability, performance, range and value.
It's no surprise we're impressed by the new bike and the changes BMW has made in the update from the 1250 - after all, it's built to do the big distances and being equipped with shaft drive, a centrestand, handguards, heated grips & seat, electric screen and a rack make a great start for a touring bike. The adventure bike riding position and advanced suspension help, too.
Keep an eye out for the full test in a future issue.
BMW Motorrad Australia
MOTO MACHINE OPENS GIANT ROYAL ENFIELD EXCLUSIVE STORE
Moto Machine hosted a big celebration opening last night which included Royal Enfield's CEO!
The shop, near Parramatta in Sydney, has a huge range of Royal Enfield machines, modified bike, apparel and accessories. It's designed to be a great place to visit and take in the culture of Royal Enfield, Pure Motorcycling.
Check out Moto Machine at 1/10 James Ruse Drive, Clyde.
Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand
If you're looking for an affordable, modern adventure tourer, Benelli has the new TRK702 and TRK702X available now in Australia.
Being introduced at prices of $12,990 for the TRK702 and $13,590 ride away for the TRK702X, they represent really good value for money, especially when combined with a two year unlimited kilometre warranty and two years of roadside assistance. Check them out now at benelli.com.au.
Benelli
Visiting the Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum in Tamworth.
It’s an awesome place and a few changes since the last time I visited a few years back.
Harley-Davidson
Powerhouse Tamworth
ON TOUR ABOARD THE NEW STREET GLIDE
We’re in Quirindi heading for the Powerhouse Hotel and Museum, Tamworth, aboard the new Harley-Davidson Street Glide.
Grand American Touring in the Australian countryside during the dying days of autumn, it’s a beautiful place to be.
Enjoying the throb of the big twin, comfort of the accessory sundowner seat and the music via CarPlay.
Harley Davidson Australia
BMW R 20 CONCEPT
BMW is doing some cool things with its big Boxer engine…
Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad describes the concept as
follows: "The BMW R20 concept is a mechanical masterpiece, with
the Big Boxer in its centre. Distinctly BMW Motorrad."
Centered around the Big Boxer engine as the epicenter of great
riding pleasure, the expressive tank presents itself like a sculpture, the
rear is reduced to the essentials to emphasize the clean lines and the
power of the motorcycle.
BMW MotorradBMW Australia
ASBK rider, Jed Metcher having some fun testing the agility of the Savic Motorcycles C-Series at Phillip Island!
Cool story from the ABC.
In a family of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, one young mechanic is trying to take up the mantle of fastest rider from his father.
BEST TOURS OF THE WORLD
Well known Aussie bike journo Grant Roff has produced a new book, Ultimate Motorcycle Tours, a detailed guide to riding many of the best touring routes in the world.
I'd like to tell it's a great book full of excellent information and deep insight, but Grant's a mate of mine and he didn't invite me on these rides, so I'm just going to remain grumpy he didn't take me with him. He makes the rides look like so much fun, dammit.
So you'll have to make up your own mind about the book, because I suggest you buy it – there are articles on rides as far afield as Canada, numerous rides in the USA and Europe, Asia and of course, Australia.
There are also some brief interviews with famous riders including Elspeth Beard, Cam Donald, Heather Ellis and other long-distance travellers.
It's out on June 5, it'll cost you $45, it's flexibound and published by Hardie-Grant Explore.
AYRTON SENNA DUCATI MONSTER TRIBUTE
30 years after the passing of Ayrton Senna Ducati has unveiled a tribute machine in his honour, a Monster.
Senna was one of the first owners of a Monster and was often seen riding his Ducatis near his Monaco residence and in the twisties near his Brazilian home.
More pictures and info at roadrider.com.au
Australia & New Zealand
AUSTRALIAN ROAD RIDER JUNE/JULY OUT TOMORROW!
We've got sports, retro, naked and a sports-touring bike tested in issue #178 of Australian Road Rider, featuring the Harley-Davidson X350 on the cover.
Inside are touring stories to Uluru, Vietnam and Victoria, and a feature on how to go touring – plus we have a look at the life of Anthony Gobert, the hugely talented and troubled racer and his all to short career and life.
We've tested the Harley-Davidson X350 and 500, gone travelling on Yamaha's Tracer 7, thrashed the Bimota Tesi H2 and KB4 at Sydney Motorsport Park and ridden the Royal Enfield Bullet 350.
132 pages of high resolution pictures, carefully considered writing and information. Available at newsagents everywhere.
Out in the Royal Enfield Shotgun for the Australian press launch.
Bike is similar in many ways to the other RE 650s, but it still offers you something different.
Colours and styles are cool, and the bike looks great.
More soon.
Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand
THE NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON GRAND AMERICAN TOURERS LAUNCHED!
Australian Road Rider has ridden the new Road Glide and Street Glide, the 2024 models which have been comprehensively upgraded – the biggest leap forward in a decade or more.
For riders who love the style they will be impressed with the improvements and for those who've loved the style but been disappointed in the ex*****on, it's time to take a new one for a ride – they are much, much better.
More performance, less weight and better handling while still having the Grand American style.
-davidson
ADAPTA STRAPZ - SO MUCH BETTER THAN OCKY STRAPS
Andy Strapz Adapta Strapz are a new strap designed to make it easier, safer and put less stress on your gear than traditional ocky straps.
Yes, they coast more, but what's the value of the gear you're strapping to your bike, and the inconvenience if it gets lost?
The video shows how they are used.
Check them out and order from andystrapz.com
Andy Strapz
Got a Ducati? Share your passion for the passion for the brand on May 4 during the "We Ride as One" event.
• is the worldwide event with which Ducati calls together its community of enthusiasts to warm up their engines in view of World Ducati Week in July
• The appointment is set for Saturday 4 May at the Ducati dealerships which are organizing ad-hoc programs with the support of the local Ducati Official Clubs
• The heart of the event will be represented by the contagious energy across Australia and New Zealand, a symbolic moment that will colour the streets of many cities around the world.
Ducati Australia & New Zealand
Any outlet will do the job. Where you can charge your phone, you can charge the Savic Motorcycles C-Series.
GREAT VIDEO ABOUT WHY WE RIDE
Motorcycles as therapy.
Visit our sponsor https://betterhelp.com/vanneistat for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.What it's like & head-talk.0:00 Support for The Spirite...
THE SHOTGUN IS COMING!
Royal Enfield is keen to let you know:
Pre-orders will open, and introductory pricing will be announced at 10am (AEST) Wednesday 24th April 2024 on a first-in-first-serve basis at www.royalenfield.com.au.
The New Shotgun 650 will be released in 4 bold colourways - Plasma Blue, Sheet Metal Grey, Green Drill and Stencil White.
The Shotgun 650 range comes with a 3-year unlimited km warranty, and 3 years of roadside assist.
The first shipments of the Shotgun 650 pre-order bookings are due to be delivered to customers from 14th May 2024.
The first five customers to place their deposit online at 10am Wednesday 24th April 2024 for the Shotgun 650 will receive an exclusive invitation to the official Australian launch party in mid May 2024.
Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand
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GET APPLE CARPLAY ON YOUR BIKE WITH CARPURIDE The editor's FJR1300 is now rocking a Carpuride W702 – a 7-inch colour display which displays Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and its own interface for media, calls, navigation and more. Carpuride make a few different models and it's the only way we've found to get a decent CarPlay experience that works with any gloves, doesn't cost a fortune, mounts up easily, is waterproof and reasonably robust (you'll need a bluetooth headset to get the best out of it… works perfectly with a Sena 50S). There are a few different models too - widescreen and small screen to better suit different bike cockpits. There are discounts available now on some models, too, at carpuride.com. Check out the video and read the review on roadrider.com.au @carpuride #carpuride #carplay #androidauto #motorcycle
MOTO MACHINE OPENS GIANT ROYAL ENFIELD EXCLUSIVE STORE Moto Machine hosted a big celebration opening last night which included Royal Enfield's CEO! The shop, near Parramatta in Sydney, has a huge range of Royal Enfield machines, modified bike, apparel and accessories. It's designed to be a great place to visit and take in the culture of Royal Enfield, Pure Motorcycling. Check out Moto Machine at 1/10 James Ruse Drive, Clyde. Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand #madeinmadras #royalenfield
At Moto Machine for the launch of Royal Enfield’s new shop! #royalenfield Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand
ASBK rider, Jed Metcher @metchermotorsport having some fun testing the agility of the Savic Motorcycles C-Series at Phillip Island!
THE NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON GRAND AMERICAN TOURERS LAUNCHED! Australian Road Rider has ridden the new Road Glide and Street Glide, the 2024 models which have been comprehensively upgraded – the biggest leap forward in a decade or more. For riders who love the style they will be impressed with the improvements and for those who've loved the style but been disappointed in the execution, it's time to take a new one for a ride – they are much, much better. More performance, less weight and better handling while still having the Grand American style. #harley-davidson #grandamericantouring #cruiser #streetglide #roadglide @harleyaustralia
ADAPTA STRAPZ - SO MUCH BETTER THAN OCKY STRAPS Andy Strapz Adapta Strapz are a new strap designed to make it easier, safer and put less stress on your gear than traditional ocky straps. Yes, they coast more, but what's the value of the gear you're strapping to your bike, and the inconvenience if it gets lost? The video shows how they are used. Check them out and order from andystrapz.com #andystrapz #adaptastrapz Andy Strapz
Any outlet will do the job. Where you can charge your phone, you can charge the Savic Motorcycles C-Series. To learn more: https://www.savicmotorcycles.com/c-series
Any outlet will do the job. Where you can charge your phone, you can charge the Savic Motorcycles C-Series.
FIRST RIDE OF SUZUKI'S GSX-S1000GX CROSSOVER SPORTS We're currently testing the new Suzuki GSX-S1000GX for a future issue of Australian Road Rider, and we're impressed… so the editor has made this video outlining what the bike is, who it's for, taken a look at some important elements like performance, seat height, weight and two-up suitability for this first look at this important new bike for Suzuki. Let us know what you think of the new Suzuki and if there's a Crossover bike in your future… Thanks to Suzuki for the additional footage. Suzuki Australia
Australian Road Rider attended the launch of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the editor's come back with a video review… This is a fairly long video with Nigel going through the changes and highlight of the new model, with on and off-road footage of the bike. Full test coming in a future issue of Australian Road Rider. Don't forget to share with your adventure-riding friends! Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand
SPECIAL EDITION LAMS TRIUMPH TRIDENT The popular and capable Triumph Trident is coming soon to Australia as a limited edition model with Slippery Sam graphics – the bike which won five time at the Isle of Man, the legendary mountain circuit where racers take on not just each other but a closed roads at racing speeds. It’s extremely dangerous, with rock walls and little run-off, yet the events draw racers back year after year. The Trident Triple Tribute Special Edition, as it’s properly called, is not only good looking but also inlcudes the Triumph Shift Assist (quickshifter), bellypan and colour-matched flyscreen, standard. It’s priced at $14,990 ride away, should be here in May, and there won’t be many. Lots of photos and the full press release on roadrider.com.au. @triumphaus
Think electric motorcycles are quiet? Blast the volume as the Savic Motorcycles C-Series hits exhilarating speeds down the straight at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit How would you describe the unique sonic roar?
LIMITED EDITION INDIAN FTR SUPER HOOLIGAN Just 300 Super Hooligan Indians will be produced – with Roland Sands styling and completed with top shelf components from Öhlins, Brembo and Gillies Tooling, the FTR x RSD Super Hooligan will be an awful lot of fun and highly collectable. $28,995, see your Indian dealer soon… Indian Motorcycle
First Australian ride on the new Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - a classic looking modern bike for just $7890. Three colours. Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand
BIMOTA TESIH2 RIDE IMPRESSION There will be a detailed article about the Bimota Tesi H2 and KB4 soon in Australian Road Rider, but we were keen to bring you something from the ride a couple of days ago…
DUCATI'S DIAVEL V4 ON TEST Coming in a future issue of Australian Road Rider is our review of the Ducati Diavel V4, a high-performance machine with an upright riding position, long wheelbase and unique style. We especially like the single-sided swingarm, 4 stubby exhausts and superbike-level specification of the brakes, suspension and engine performance. Enjoy the video and keep a look out for the Diavel V4 in Australian Road Rider soon. Ducati Australia & New Zealand
POSTIEGP ACTION #2 We're making a documentary about the PostieGP, and we're going to share clips along the way… Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix
SUZUKI’S $15K SPORTSTER Suzuki is taking on Yamaha’s R7 with the GSX-8R, a twin cylinder machine which is sporty, modern, light and fun – and affordable. Priced at $14,990 ride away, the new machine is not only affordable, anyone who pre-orders the new bike will get a set of Soft side cases valued at $889 (they are expected in April). The new bike is a full faired version of the GSX-8S which went on sale in 2023. It shares the engine and chassis with the 8S but adds the dynamic look of a full sports fairing. Lots more info on roadrider.com.au Suzuki Motorcycles Australia
SUZUKI BUILDS A SPORTS CROSSOVER Suzuki is taking on the likes of BMW’s XR models and various Ducati Multistradas with the GSX-S1000GX, a sports crossover machine with an upright riding position, four-cylinder engine, sports wheels and tyres plus the first electronic suspension seen on a Suzuki. There’s a huge range of electronics installed on the bike and while the pannier are optional those who pre-order the $25,890 machine may be eligible for a free set of panniers, normally priced at $1800. Lots more info and photos from the press release on roadrider.com.au Suzuki Motorcycles Australia
POSTIE BIKE GRAND PRIX MAYHEM It poured down during the main event but we caught the action thanks to our camera on the #1 entry of Daniel Wicks and Boyd Hollis… lots More to come, like the Australian Road Rider FB page to see more action before the full documenary about the event is ready… Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix
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