Articles by Mike Ryan

Multiple World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will be one of the special guests at the Australian Motorcycle Expo, Gold Coast, this February 17 - 19. Every visitor to the expo will have a chance to win a pillion ride with Bayliss on a Ducati superbike.

This May, Australia will host a round of the FIM World Trials Championship for the first time. Tickets for the event, set to take place at Mt. Tarrengower, will be on sale shortly via www.wtcaustralia.com.au

After making its debut in the US in 2011, Kawasaki's Vulcan 1700 'Vaquero' ABS cruiser is now available in Australia.

"Solo One to VKC. Solo One to VKC. Are you there, Shirl?"\nIf this phrase means nothing to you, the classic 1970s TV show 'Matlock Police' and its spin-off 'Solo One' probably mean nothing to you as well!

Amongst all the latest bikes to feature at the upcoming Gold Coast Motorcycle Expo will be a bike that's beyond 'latest' - something that looks like it's from the future.

\nWhen Benelli announced their 750cc 'Sei' model in 1972, it was significant in that it was the first production motorcycle to feature a six-cylinder engine. Six-bangers had been around before then, but were limited to exotic factory race machines. Benelli's production six-cylinder model was seen as their roadbike challenger to the all-conquering four-cylinder machines from Japan.

Scooter owners and riders from across Melbourne and beyond are urged to take part in the VACC Safe Routes Scooter Rally this February 19.

Most fans of British motorcycles will know that AJS started in 1909. However, before then, the Stevens brothers had been involved in various other elements of the motorcycle industry, including a brand that bore their name - sort of - in the form of the 'Wearwell-Stevens'.

After a lot of manufacturers jumped on the supermotard bandwagon at the dawn of the new millennium, the category has arguably fallen from favour in the past few years, but Suzuki are still flying the motard flag in their lineup, and brought out a newly-styled version of their dedicated DR-Z 400SM supermotard model in 2010.

Honda's 2010 release of the automatic gearbox-equipped VFR1200 wasn't the first tourer from the big red wing to have a clutchless transmission. More than 35 years ago, Honda released the 'CB 750A', a variant of the immensely popular CB 750. It was hoped the 750A would expand the market for Honda's four cylinder road bike. However, it didn't quite work out that way.

There is no denying some of the most desirable motorcycles in the world are Italian in origin. Headlining the desirability stakes are Ducati and the performance F-Series of MV Agusta.

Combine motocross, enduro and trials, add a dash of supercross thrills and spills and some of Australia's best riders and what do you get? ENDURO-X, that's what! Melbourne's Broadmeadows Motocross Park hosted the first ever Australian Enduro-X event on February 4, and the local debut of this unique form of competition was declared a success by all involved.