TT3D: Closer to the Edge ... Win tickets to Exclusive Advanced Screening!
“A life affirming, heart-stopping joy ride for anyone with a pulse.”
Sounds like something a motorcyclist might enjoy?
Imagine roaring down country lanes at 200 miles per hour, rocketing over hills and catching air, scrapping your knees around gutters and crossing lanes without flinching. Whipping past farm houses with thousands of screaming spectators lining the footpath and the thrill of racing on public (albeit closed) roads coursing through your veins…
It’s not an event that I will likely experience any time soon, mainly due to the fact I’m not a professional road bike racer and it’s unlikely I will venture down that career path. I also doubt I’ll ever get the chance to ride pillion around the track, which is probably a good thing as the high pitched squealing that would occur if I went on the back with a TT racer would be most embarrassing!
But now luckily we can experience the exhilaration, terror and sheer brassiness of the heroic Isle of Man TT racers in a feature-length documentary with glorious 3D.
Narrated by Jared Leto, TT3D: Closer to the Edge discovers why modern TT riders still risk their lives to win the world’s most dangerous race.
The TT is the ultimate challenge for rider and machine and it has always called for a commitment far beyond any other racing event and many have made the ultimate sacrifice in their quest for victory.
TT3D is a story about freedom of choice, the strength of the human spirit and that powerful will to win that drives a racer to risk everything for the title.
Following charismatic outspoken lorry mechanic-turned-pro biker Guy Martin in his bid to win the 2010 event, the film explores the experiences of not only Guy but other TT stars such as Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness, Conor Cummins and Ian Hutchinson.
TT3D: Closer to the Edge is a rare insight into a race that captivates the world and is set to be one of the most thrilling films of 2011.
And thanks to Icon Film Distribution, TeamMoto is proud to offer a huge in-store promotion that I’m sure you will be interested in …
Anyone can enter in-store at one of our Brisbane based dealerships for the chance to win a double pass (2x Adult tickets) to an exclusive TeamMoto Only Advanced Screening of TT3D!
TeamMoto has an entire cinema at Event Cinemas Indooroopilly on Thursday, October 13th at 7.00pm and we have 200 Double Passes to give away, so there are plenty of chances to WIN!
Seeing TT3D: Closer to the Edge will be a fantastic experience … but wouldn't seeing TT3D in a cinema full of other motorcycle enthusiasts make it ever better? Better get in store now to enter.
When you talk about Bucket Lists the Isle of Man TT must surely be at the top of every motorcyclist’s wishlist.
Earlier this year I fulfilled a lifelong ambition to attend the Isle of Man TT… Probably the world’s best-known and most dangerous motorcycle racing event. This year’s TT promised to be huge as 2011 celebrated 100 years of racing on the IOM mountain course.
Of course the UK is too far away to just go for 2 weeks, so the decision
was made to extend the holiday to include 4 weeks touring around Europe
and also to take in a couple of Moto GPs as well. Yeah I know…all my
mates hate me.
I had shipped my much travelled DL1000 Vstrom over and was pleased to find it waiting for me at the Felixstowe port, just a short train ride North of London. My epic ride began with a beautiful 5 day run across England and the spectacular Welsh country side taking such places as the Snowden and Brecon Beacons National parks, then up to Liverpool to join the hundreds of other bikes waiting to board the 11.30 pm Ferry across to the Isle of Man.
The crossing has been known to dish up some of the roughest seas
anywhere in the world, but fortunately we had a smooth sailing and I
spent the crossing in the onboard theatre watching previous TT’s to get
in the mood and we arrived at the pretty little seaside port of Douglas
at 4.30am.
We had booked some accommodation at a homestay in Douglas, but as we didn’t want to wake the host that time of the day, there was nothing else to do but to complete the first of many laps of the spectacular 64km course.
You may have seen TV footage of bikes racing through the villages and over the mountain road of this historical course, but words cannot describe the euphoria we felt as we made our way around the scenic course.
This lap also put into perspective just how crazy and /or brave the racers are. The track winds its way through little village’s just inches from walls and gutters and while there are token safety barriers in place, one small mistake could well be your last. This year’s event unfortunately saw several serious crashes.
The spectacular Mountain section has no speed limit in place and the views from the top are certainly awe inspiring, but you get precious little time to take them as you wind your way across the mountain.
Think of Bathurst but 20 times longer.
The 2 week long event is split into 2 parts with the first week taken up with practice and second week being the actual race week. We spent the first week exploring the island and its many attractions as well as looking for the best vantage spots to view the bikes.
We also spent a fair bit of time in the many pubs dotted around the course and made many new friends along the way. The friendliness of the locals and other spectators has to be experienced to be appreciated. I have never been to an event where the people are so friendly.
The island also has some brilliant bike museums showcasing the history of the event and we had a great time exploring these and all the other attractions the place has to offer.
Race week is when it gets serious and the whole character of the place changes as thousands of bikes arrive from all over the world. You are free to wander around the pits and chat to the riders and the mechanics etc.
We met the Aussie rider Cam Donald and several other top riders and they were all very generous with their time and very friendly and of course nothing compares to sitting in the hedges or in the village beer garden with a nice cold beer as the bikes scream past at over 300km/h just a metre or so away. It definitely sends tingles up your spine.
There are many characters on the island and as mentioned we made many new friends. One bloke we met has been coming to the island every year for 65 years and he was only 66 years old. Hows that for commitment?
(Pictured below from left: Top of the Mountain, Me & Charlie Boorman - you really never know you your going to meet! - Famous Creg-Ny-Baa Pub.)
The 2 weeks flew past far too quickly and it would have to rate as one of the highlights of my life. I can’t wait to go back and do it all again one day.
Stay tuned for the next issue, when I will tell you all about my trip to Europe which included trips to the British and Italian Moto GP’s as well as the totally crazy Erzberg rodeo in Austria and of course touring through the spectacular alpine regions of France, Switzerland and Italy!
- Guy
Finally! The all new 2012 Yamaha WR450F
Finally a major overhaul for the Yamaha WR450F as it started to look like the Japanese were going to roll over and play dead in the off-road market. Yamaha has launched their first modern era four-stroke enduro bike starting with an incredible chassis that offers a handling package enduro riders will love.
An update for the WR line has been long overdue but has been worth the wait as some of the changes for the 2012 model include:
• A new fuel injection system.
• New YZ-Inspired bilateral beam frame.
• 7.2 Litre plastic resin fuel tank.
• On-the-fly clutch adjuster.
• New radiator with a wider core.
• YZ inspired twin chamber suspension.
The updates for 2012 have been hugely anticipated, as its been five years since the last overhaul. In fact, since 1999 and the introduction of the WR400F, major changes have only occurred in 2003 with the upgrade to the 450cc engine, in 2005 with a new frame and then in 2007 with the introduction of an aluminium frame.
Yamaha has stepped up to the mark and delivered a cutting edge motorcycle that WRF riders expect and deserve while retaining features of reliability that can win at the highest level or an easy to ride trail weapon.
The design goal for the WR was to improve handling while striving for more linear and manageable power, however, the WR was designed for the fast trail rider and expert enduro rider.
Getting into the detail of the design, the all new light-weight chassis is a "YZ250F-inspired" bilateral beam frame which uses the same KYB SSS air/oil separate 48mm cartridge-type fork and KYB shock as the 2012 YZ250F. The suspension and body work is YZ450F inspired with modifications made for trail use.
The biggest news for the WR450F beast, is that it is now fuel-injected which means you can ride in any conditions, whether you are on the top of the mountain, at the bottom of a valley or crossing a deep river without making adjustments to a carburetor. This system claims to smooth out the power delivery providing maximum traction and power in any position in the power curve.
Some other features of the 2012 WR450F are wave-type brake rotors, Pro-Taper handlebars, an air-box that can be accessed without tools and a five-speed transmission that delivers all the power to an 18-inch rear wheel.
The Australian WR450F model comes with black Excel rims. There will
also be a competition kit available for riders using the bike in closed
course enduro conditions which includes a race-spec exhaust, sprocket
set and more.
An interesting side note in the development of this new WR model is the fact Aussie enduro legend Geoff Ballard provided invaluable input for the Yamaha design team.
GB, who bleeds blue and not only runs the Ballards Yamaha Enduro Team in
Australia but is one of our most successful Enduro racers ever, was
invited to Japan to help develop and test this new model.
As Australia is such a huge part of the Yamaha WR market worldwide, GB's
intimate knowledge of the type of riders we are combined with first
hand experience of local terrain and expert technical skills meant GB
ensured the WR450F ticks all the right boxes.
"The result is a quantum leap forward for the WRF," states Geoff. "I am confident in saying that there is nothing on the market that offers such a complete package as the new WR450F, it really is strong in every area and an ideal bike for Aussie conditions."
No official word yet on when the new 2012 WR will hit our TeamMoto Yamaha stores, but its looking like early 2012 at this stage.
For more information, click here to contact your local TeamMoto Yamaha dealership today.
Mark Hinchliffe on the Rocket III Touring ABS
By Mark Hinchliffe, Courier Mail Motoring Editor
THE last time I rode the Triumph Rocket III Touring I had a heart-in-the-mouth incident involving a locked rear tyre on a wet downhill slope.
My review said the bike needed ABS like the Harley Touring family.
Well, ask and you shall receive. It now comes standard with ABS.
The good news is it doesn't cost any more now with ABS.
At $26,030 Ride Away it beats the American opposition (Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail $29,995 (+On Roads) and Victory Cross Roads $26,990 (+On Roads) and compares favourably with some of the Japanese "metric'' cruisers.
There is extra value in the fact that the windscreen is quickly detachable as this makes it more of an all-seasons proposition.
The Rocket has the largest engine of any production motorcycle in the world, bigger than most medium-sized family cars.
It's 2.3-litre, three-cylinder heart has the lustiest beat of any bike on the road.
Don't be discouraged by peak power of 80kW which is down from 104kW in the Classic as it is tuned for a fat midrange of 209Nm from just 2000rpm.
The transmission is via a faultless and smooth five-speed gearbox and shaft drive.
Have I mentioned it now comes with ABS?
Not that the contact patch on the big front and rear wheel tyres lack for grip, but with the low centre of gravity, there is a lot more stopping power in the rear brake than on most bikes, so it can be easy to lock up the rear wheel, especially in the wet. However, ABS takes car of that.
On a weekend two-up ride through country with some damp sections, I never felt the ABS come into play, but it was comforting for my nervous pillion to know that it was there if needed.
The Touring model turns heads wherever it goes.
It looks like the Classic model with a windscreen and panniers, but the only parts they share are the rear light, mirrors, brakes and the engine.
Even the seat is different, with two separate layers of cushioning of different densities and a gel pad in the pillion seat.
These are among the 59 accessories designed exclusively for the Touring variant, including back rests, mufflers, heated grips and chrome parts.
It comes with hard panniers and a look-over windscreen, but you can replace these with after-market options.
The top-loading and lockable 36-litre standard hard luggage compartment is neat and streamlined.
However it is a bit narrow, so it won't fit much gear. Both the luggage and windshield have a quick-release system that is easy to remove and fit.
Riding position is good for long stints with your legs splayed around a fat tank and feet on wide footboards with an adjustable heel-toe gear shifter. However, I found the straight-out reach to the wide bars a little fatiguing.
Not that I should refer to my wife as a load, but most of this test was spent two-up and the big triple didn't seem to notice the extra load.
Gearing is tall and torque is huge so you don't need to rush through the gears nor do you find yourself in fifth looking for one more cog.
My wife commented that the gel seat is comfortable, but the seat sash is useless as a grab handle. Instead, she held on to me, which is nice, but not ideal. She would also opt the optional sissy bar for back support.
Handling is actually improved a little by the extra weight over the rear wheel as it prevents that bouncing feeling over big bumps. It could do with a little more rebound damping in the rear springs.
Small, high-frequency bumps are handled well and the bike never bottomed out over the big hits, even two-up.
A pillion also helps the steering, making the front a little lighter and more nimble for counter-steering into corners. The narrow rear tyre also assists agile turn-in.
Lean angle is good with the peg scraping only when your are pushing hard or hitting a mid-corner bump with a pillion on board.
It's called the Touring and invites two-up riding over long distances.
The only limiting factors are the narrow panniers and the 22.3-litre tank which has range of about 300km when fully loaded.
For more information on the Triumph Rocket III Touring ABS, please click here to contact your local TeamMoto Triumph dealership.
A Pleasure Shared is a Pleasure Doubled
By Mark Hinchliffe
A PLEASURE shared is a pleasure doubled. So it is with riding two-up. Some riders believe a pillion simply ruins the handling, performance and fuel economy.
It certainly does make a substantial difference. Consider that an average bike weighs 200kg and the rider is 80kg. If you add another 80kg passenger, it is a 29 per cent increase in the load the chassis, suspension, brakes and engine have to cope with.
But sharing your passion with someone close to you simply can't be measured in percentages, kilowatts or newton-metres. Before you venture into carrying a pillion, there are a range of issues you should consider.
The most important is the comfort of your pillion. There is no point in making them suffer for your passion. They need to feel physically and mentally comfortable.
I once had the opportunity of a lifetime to ride pillion with GP winner Kevin Magee around Phillip Island and, of course, grabbed it with both hands.
It certainly was a thrill as he went knee-down through the Southern Loop and wheelied out of Siberia.
However, after four laps, I was glad to get off, totally exhausted from hanging on, especially pushing on the tank under heavy braking into MG and Honda corners.
I've since been offered other pillion rides around tracks and have said a sincere "no thanks". It's just not enjoyable.
Yet a long ride to Armidale on the back of a friend's Honda Gold Wing was a most satisfying pillion experience for me. I was able to soak up the aromas and feel of the countryside in absolute comfort and still feel the exhilaration and freedom of biking.
Honda's doing great rideaway deals on Gold Wings, but you don't have to go that expense to get a suitable two-up bike.
While big bikes might have more room and some even have backrests and armchair seats, my wife claims these give an aura of being hemmed in and trapped, especially if she can't put a foot on the ground.
I've found one of the best two-up rides is on a Triumph Bonneville because it has a common bench seat so you and your pillion can get up close and cuddle, the engine is not intimidating to the pillion rider and they feel closer to the ground and therefore more secure.
Triumph seats can be notoriously hard, so a sheepskin or an aftermarket factory gel seat can make a world of difference to your pillion's comfort. Their contoured "king and queen" seat is ideal for long distances.
There are other facets of the bike to consider for the comfort of pillions, such as generous and confidence-inspiring grab handles. Seat sashes are simply not good enough for anything but a short pillion ride to the shops.
Grab handles behind the seat are fit only for contortionists and offer little resistance to being pushed back under heavy acceleration unless you have strong arm muscles.
The best grab handles are those placed beside the seat with plenty of room to fit thick winter gloved hands through them.
You can also inspire more confidence with a sissy bar or top box which the pillion can lean against and rest their hands for a while.
It's not just all about the bike, either. Riders need to consider their riding style to provide their pillion with mental and physical comfort and confidence.
That means accelerating and braking smoothly and/or giving plenty of notice of acceleration or stopping. Wheelies might be fun, but they are frightening for the pillion as well as illegal.
As previously mentioned, carrying a pillion will affect handling, so make sure you adjust your suspension - particularly rear spring preload - for the extra weight.
A word of advice here for married couples: never adjust the springs or shocks in front of your wife, or explain that you have to adjust the suspension to allow for their weight.
You should also allow more time for braking as stopping distances will be longer and take corners slower as a mid-corner bump may cause the pegs to grind into the tarmac.
The most taxing part of riding pillion, is not high-speed cornering, but slow-speed maneuvering, especially with a fidgety pillion.
You need to tell your pillion to sit still at slow speeds, avoid unnecessary movement at any time and don't lean out or into the corners.
When parking the bike, it is best to get your passenger to hop off before backing your bike into a spot.
Communication while riding is also important. For safety reasons it's good to be able to alert each other about obstacles in the traffic as well as to warn about sudden stops. Your pillion might also want to tell you when they need a rest or toilet break.
There are some cheap and effective Bluetooth communication systems available these days. Otherwise, work out a simple system of hand signals.
Finally, make a note that fuel economy and therefore range will be substantially reduced by carrying a pilllion. Being stranded short of a fuel stop is not fun, but at least with a pillion one of you can stay with the bike while the other walks to the servo.
TeamMoto Blacktown Ride by the River Demo Day!
On Sunday, October 9th 2011 at Macquarie Park in Windsor, NSW - next to the beautiful Hawkesbury River - TeamMoto Blacktown will have 26 Yamaha and Triumph motorcycles for customers to test ride over an extended 30-minute route.
Test rides start at 9.00am and go every 45-minutes until 3.15pm. There will be free food and refreshments available throughout the day!
All rides MUST be pre-booked (on a first come first served basis), so
check out the available bikes now then call (02) 9421 0675 to book!
Registration closes Thursday, September 29th 2011 at 5pm.
Check out the available bikes below, then ring up Rosie to book in your demo ride - hurry, don't miss out!
Triumph Demo Models available:
Yamaha Demo Models available:
Resurrecting a legend: JT Racing USA gear is back!
If you grew up watching the legends of American Motocross in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s then you know the iconic status that JT Racing USA gear has in the motocross industry.
Riders such as Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, Jeff Ward, David Bailey, Broc Glover, Johnny O’Mara and Ron Lechien all worn JT gear to countless championships and moto wins. JT Racing USA was at the forefront of motocross apparel for more than three decades with their inspiring designs, styles and marketing. It was THE gear every motocross rider wanted to wear.
The founders John and Rita Gregory, who started it all by selling motocross socks at the track out of their van, eventually sold the company in 2001 and retired. The name has since lain dormant, but it seems you can’t keep a good company down for long and JT Racing USA is back for the next chapter!
We recently gave a set of the new JT gear to our young testing correspondent Jared Basile and he told us what he thought of this retro-inspired comeback.
***
By Jared Basile
When my dad told me that the guys at TeamMoto wanted me to try out this cool new range of JT Racing Retro riding gear, I must admit I was a bit skeptical. You see, cool and my Dad don’t usually go hand in hand, but the when I laid eyes on the new gear I was immediately impressed.??
Apparently JT racing was the gear to use back in the Day. Names such as Marty Smith, Danny LaPorte, David Bailey and Chuck Sun were amongst the big name riders to use JT Racing gear.??
When I first put on the gear I was very impressed at how they had incorporated retro design with modern technology. Everything a motocross or enduro rider needs in protective gear is there, whether its larger knee sections to accommodate knee braces or even little bits of padding on the shoulders of the jersey for Leatt neck braces to rest on, and they even put the massive JT logo as the butt patch.
JT Racing has thought of everything. With all the technology put in the gear there was still that feeling that you were going to jump on an old PE 400 and race like the old days.
I used the gear during the running of Round 2 of the Snap Fitness/TeamMoto Sprint Series and the first thing I noticed when I put the gear on was how comfortable it was. Another great feature I noticed was the airflow. Throughout the day of racing it became quite hot but the generous venting in the gear allowed me to keep me cool, which helped a lot in making sure I didn’t get dehydrated.
The quality of the gear is extremely good. I had a couple of small moments during the day, brushing up against some trees and even having the front end wash out me and hitting the deck, and at the time I thought “oh no” I've ripped my gear but after looking for rips or marks I was very glad to see there was not even a single mark on it, I was very impressed.
The last thing you need while racing enduro's is flimsy gear that falls to bits when the going gets tough. There is also generous padding in all the important areas.
The gear I used was a pre-production set and although the pants were a little big when I first put them on, I was able to get a great fit due to the large amount of adjustment that was available in both the front and sides of the pants.
Which was very useful and handy as I didn’t want my pants falling down while I was racing. That wouldn’t have been a good look for the spectators.
There is a huge range of color combo's to choose from, so matching your gear to your bike isn’t going to be a problem.
Overall I think the gear was extremely good and very comfortable, and I have no doubt in my mind that it will be back up to one of the most popular brands of gear in no time at all.
The vintage MX racers are going to love this stuff and as soon as the younger generation see more of this gear its not only gonna be people like me and my dad that think its cool.
- Jared
Motorcycle Riding School: What's that Skip?
By Steve McDowall, TeamMoto Motorcycle Riding School Manager
Do you remember Skippy the Bush Kangaroo? NO? Before your time?
Every week Skippy and her human friend Sonny would save the people and animals of Waratah National Park from certain death, destruction, and all kinds of other trouble.
Skippy could talk, well kind of. Skippy could think, untie knots and even use a radio.
But I’ll break this to you gently ….. Skippy was a freak of nature created in the mind of some TV executive.
I’ve never met an intelligent kangaroo in my life. In fact, they seem to have the mental capacity of a gnat combined with the speed and agility of an Olympic hurdler.
They’re the only animal that gets out of the way of a car, and then changes direction in one bounce and heads back where they came from.
And that’s how a mate of mine was taken out by a mate of Skip’s.
They’re big, fast and horribly unpredictable.
So are dogs to some degree – they’ll actually chase you!
Just ask Dale – he had a dog latch onto the leg of a student recently while riding through a residential area.
Dealing with animals on the road is tricky, because it’s nearly impossible to know what they’ll do. They just don’t think like we do. So you have to be prepared to deal with the unexpected.
We teach two types of hazard avoidance techniques, swerving and braking.
Swerving around a hazard is great if you can guarantee the hazard won’t move.
If you’re dealing with an unpredictable hazard like an animal or a person, then the best course of action is to slow down.
But to be able to slow down for a hazard you have to see the hazard first. That’s where your scanning and observation skills come in.
And in the case of animals, it’s easy to miss them – because they’re fast.
If you’re riding through a residential area and a ball rolls out of a driveway you can pretty much bet that it’ll be followed by a child, a dog or both.
If you see a bunch of kids playing often there’s a dog as well.
And, believe it or not, kangaroos are not just found in country areas, I’ve seen a dead kangaroo on the side of a residential street in Rochedale.
Hitting an animal brings on a whole different world of pain, both for you, the animal’s owner and the motorcycle.
Dog owners are a breed of their own, and particularly emotional at the sight of an injured animal.
You can expect more sympathy to go to the animal while you’re lying on the side of the road hurting and wondering how your bike is.
It’s a situation best avoided, and only avoided by being particularly vigilant in areas that are known for animals on the loose.
Actually that advice could apply to night clubs as well!
Don’t, for a second, think that you can outsmart an animal – because they’re just not that smart! And they’ll get you when you least expect it.
TeamMoto Triumph Virginia Road Ride - Sunday, September 25th
As per usual, TeamMoto Triumph Virginia is having their monthly road ride the last Sunday of September.
Meeting at 1924 Sandgate Rd on Sunday, September 25th 2011, at 7.00am, the coffee van will be in attendance for a caffeine shot before the ride departs at approximately 7.45am.
Triumph Virginia Salesman Andrew Thurston will be leading the ride up over Clear Mountain, towards Samford and then up Mt Glorious.
The ride will continue around Somerset Dam, through Kilcoy and Woodford before heading down Mount Mee and arriving at the Samford Pub for lunch.
For more information on the ride, be sure to contact TeamMoto Triumph Virginia on (07) 3177 5080.
It should be a fantastic ride, hope to see you there!
What's hot in store!
As summer rolls in, not only is the temperature heating up outside, but all the hot new products are popping up inside! But enough clichéd drizzle… check out the latest products on the market.
Smooth Industries MX Merchandise
It does seem crazy to be thinking about Christmas in September … but these days it seems that time flies by faster than ever and before you know it, it’ll be mid-December. So to avoid the ensuing panic, why not order the perfect presents for the kids now?
Exclusive to TeamMoto – that’s right, available ONLY at our stores –
Smooth Industries has a great range of gift ideas available! Best get in
quick however, the staff have already been putting in their orders!
Click on the images below to purchase online!
For more information or to pre-order for Christmas, please visit your local TeamMoto Dealership or click here to shop online!
M2R X2.5 FMF Replica RRP $249.95
Pictures don’t do justice to this creative new graphic from M2R … when you walk in-store and see row upon row of helmets, you sure don’t miss this one! The FMF commemorative graphic is designed in recognition of 35 years of hard work by the FMF company to deliver superior power and performance to motorcycle enthusiasts around the globe.
That’s the official line - which basically means, “Flying Machine Factory” rocks, so M2R produced a kick-a** helmet to honour them!
The X2.5 features a lightweight and strong carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass MIT shell construction, along with the unique MIT resin extraction process which reduces shell weight and enhances strength. It boasts multiple air channel EPS foam liner channels through the helmet for advanced cooling, a soft EPS liner for progressive impact absorption and a fully removeable and washable interior liner.
M2R X3.1 Dean Ferris Replica RRP $299.95
M2R continues to impress with their latest graphics, releasing a Dean Ferris Replica of the helmet he wore while representing Australia at the Motocross of Nations in 2010. Designed by none other than the best helmet painter in Australia - Mark Brown of Browns Grafix – the Ferris replica comes in the tradition green and gold colour scheme, as well as a unique silver version, both of which boast the patriotic Aussie flag flying across the peak.
The X3.1 is also M2R’s latest model helmet, using M2R’s unique MIT process which removes excess resin from the carbon, Kevlar and FG shell to reduce weight.
Shift Diablo Leather Jacket $329 was $499!
The Shift Diablo leather jacket is not only on sale for an amazing price at the moment, but aside from the name which inspires thoughts of fire and stakes, it is a comfortable, safe and offers extreme value for money!
Features include:
1.2-1.4mm premium grain leather.
Articulated design for superior comfort.
Durable exterior shoulder and back protection.
Removable CE approved shoulder and elbow armor.
KorMax stretch Aramid panels for flexibility and abrasion resistance.
Leather accordion panels in key flex areas for unrestricted movement.
Perforated leather panels for added comfort.
Connection zipper for attachment to compatible SHIFT pants.
Reflective piping for added visibility.
Removable/Washable quilted vest liner.
Integrated pocket for a back protector.
Safari DR650 Edition $9,990 Ride Away with 6mths QLD Rego!
TeamMoto Suzuki Virginia has caught "Safari" fever and has done up the trusty adventure DR650 with some great extra features!
Featuring:
B&B Aluminium Bash Plate
B&B Aluminium Rear Rack
B&B Aluminium Frame Guards
Safari Long Range Tank - 30 litres
Storm Hand guards
Front & Rear Dunlop 606 tyres
TwoTwo Motosports Replica graphics on all 2011 Honda CRF250R & CRF450R
Australian’s have a love of sport like no other. Our sporting stars are true heroes and in the motocross world there is no one more revered than Chad Reed. In honour of his new team, every Honda 2011 CRF250R & CRF450R comes with a free Factory TwoTwo Motosports decal kit!
This offer is for a limited time only, so be sure to check out our Honda dealerships before stocks run out.
Phillip Island Fever!
For those lucky enough to be leaving reality behind and traversing south to the home of Australian motorcycle racing… just know the rest of us are really jealous right now. With an epic history of producing the very best of MotoGP racing, the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island is fast approaching and once again the anticipation is huge for this iconic event.
But before you go gallivanting off on your adventures (is the envy that obvious?), don’t let the excitement of seeing Stoner win another title make you forget your preparations!
Be sure to have your bike serviced or looked over before you leave. Slapping some new rubber on might not be a bad idea, or at least checking your tyre pressures. Also make sure you top up all your fluids and check how much meat is left on those brake pads.
You never know with this country it seems, so anticipate varied weather conditions! Ensure you have your wet weather ensemble, plus a vented jacket might not be a bad idea (summer seems to be arriving quickly!), layered with thermals (why is it still so cold in the mornings?) as being prepared will make the ride much more comfortable.
And when it comes to luggage, there are plenty of options from tank bags, tail bags, saddlebags, panniers … you name it, you can strap it to your bike! So ensure you pick the most comfortable and space efficient luggage solution for you and your motorcycle.
Better to check everything over now then get half way to Phillip Island and have something happen! It would be a long walk in boots …
So have fun on your action-packed weekend, where speed dominates the tarmac at one of the most unique destinations on the GP calendar and breathtaking views are the perfect backdrop to watch the best racers in the world battle at 320km/h … while the rest of us sit at home watching on TV and dreaming we were there!
Cancer Council Queensland Road Ride: Going strong!
Join the ride that's been 50 years in the making!
Enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to take to the road with Cancer
Council Queensland in a motorcycle ride to celebrate the roads between
friends and our fiftieth anniversary in the fight against cancer.
If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, ride with us and show your support!
The ride has been organised in tribute to
CCQ’s supporters and friends, the backbone of our organisation. Each
year, thousands of Queenslanders enable our vision for a cancer free
future by volunteering or giving generously to support people affected
by cancer.
This ride is our way of saying thank you, and will be an event to celebrate the road between friends.
All members of the community are welcome to join us on tour as we take
the fight against cancer on the road to visit the towns that connect us
with the community.
Our CC Riders will cover 5,000 kilometres across Queensland during
August and September, with three major rides and local events planned to
take in the regional towns along the way.
We’d love you to JOIN US as we take to the road – you can register now
to ride on different stages of the ride or ride with us for the whole
tour.
You’re also invited to join us at any of the events to celebrate our community along the way!
Visit ccriders.org.au for more information and to register now.
Shots of the Month
As usual this month's images are varied and unique ... starting with one of the classiest and highest quality bike I have ever seen, to the complete opposite! And finishing with a tribute to our homegrown heroes ... who took on the world and - well, didn't quite win, but we podiumed!
Above & Below.
‘Union’ was built by Abnormal Cycles of Italy. The Bernareggio-based company created an Art Deco-inspired sidecar—complete with wood trim—and hooked it up to a 1942 Harley-Davidson Model U. The leaf spring fork is inspired by an Indian design—beefed up to cope with the extra weight—while fellow Italians Kustom Tech built the three chrome-and-brass drum brakes. The wheels are Jonich 18-inchers and the tires are from Ceat, two brands that are new names to me, but look pretty good. There’s something reminiscent of Flash Gordon about this machine: like the movie, it somehow hangs together, when logic says it shouldn’t. - Credit Pic and Copy Bike EXIF
Above & Below.
The future of sports touring. Everything you need from panniers to powerful lights! Do you think this design will take off? Me neither.
Above & Below.
A huge congratulations to the Aussie trio of Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss who took on the world at the 2011 Motocross of Nations and came home 3rd - the first podium for Team Australia ever!
