Issue Vol 67 Issue 05 (2024)

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Australian Motorcycle News covers all things motorcycling from around the world, featuring new-model releases as well as comprehensive bike comparisons and race reports in every issue.

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In This IssueWhy dads are bestMemories of my dad teaching me how to master the controls of a motorcycle are filled with calm tones and encouraging words with plenty of smiles and laughterHAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all motorcycle-loving dads. Looking at our reader demographic statistics, a very high percentage of you must be dads, so I’m dedicating this Ed’s Desk to you. One of the joys of having a top old man is learning great lessons for life – and dad jokes. Becoming a father allows you to pass on these same things to your own kids. Being taught how to ride a motorcycle by the old cheese creates fantastic memories, matched only by doing the same with your own pet humans.Memories of my dad teaching me how to master the controls of a motorcycle…1 min

RegularsMT-09 gets SPecial treatmentJUST AS IT makes a high-spec, Öhlins-sprung SP version of the MT-10 (coincidentally, tested on page 50 of this issue), Yamaha is planning to unleash an MT-09SP for 2018.The firm has hom*ologated the bike already, suggesting it will be launched soon.From the documents we’ve seen, we know it uses the same 84.6kW, 847cc, three-cylinder engine as the stock MT-09, suggesting that all the changes will be to the cosmetics and the suspension.It’s the same pattern Yamaha established with the R1M-based MT-10SP, which uses Öhlins’ semi-active suspension instead of the already-decent stuff on the standard model.While we haven’t seen the MT-09SP yet, it makes sense that Yamaha will follow a similar theme.The semi-active Öhlins kit is likely to be too expensive to make sense on an MT-09-based bike, but some of…4 min

RegularsMeet next year’s HarleysIN WHAT IT describes as its “largest-ever development project”, Harley-Davidson has revealed eight new models as it expands the Milwaukee-Eight engine to the Softail range.Next year’s Harley line-up looks significantly different.The old Dyna model family – defined by its combination of a twin-shock chassis and Harley’s big twin engines – is gone.In its place is an extended Softail line-up that now incorporates several models that were previously Dynas.An entirely new Softail frame was designed for 2018 to accommodate the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin.First released in the firm’s 2017 Touring line-Milwaukee-Eight engine.The ‘107’ is the base version, with 1745cc capacity (107 cubic inches, hence the name) that produces around 69kW – Harley doesn’t make official claims about power – and, more importantly, 145Nm at 3000rpm.If that’s not enough, several 2018 Softails also have…4 min

RegularsbriefsHear Ducati’s new V4!As is always the case, some onlooker with a mobile phone has gone and spoiled the manufacturer’s surprise, snaring a video of the all-new Ducati V4 testing – and it sounds great! In fact it perhaps sounds a little too great and you see very little, which leaves us cynics thinking it just may be a well-timed leak.Head to amcn.com.auto have a listen.Early starterÁngel Nieto wasn’t yet a teenager when he started working for a local bike workshop. They entered him in local motorcycle gymkhanas and painted a baby's dummy on the bike's fuel tank. Read our tribute to the GP great on page 58.1972That’s the year the Ducati SuperSport can be traced back to – when Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari scored a 1-2 in the…2 min

RegularsAustralian MotoGP: Plan ahead!TWO MONTHS OUT from the Australian round of the 2017 MotoGP world championship at Phillip Island, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation has released the schedule for the three-day event (20-22 October).The first opportunity to see and hear the world championship finery will be at 10am on the Friday when the Moto3 riders head out on track for their first practice session, followed by MotoGP at 10.55am. Moto2 is as hour later at 11.55am.MotoGP’s all-important FP3 session, which will determine the riders who go straight through to Qualifying 2, will get underway at 10.55am on Saturday morning.The 15-minute Qualifying 1 kicks off at 3.10pm, followed by Qualifying 2 at 3.35pm.For spectators attending only race day on Sunday, be sure to get to the track and find a spot well before the…1 min

Issue Vol 67 Issue 05 (2024)

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