News

Take one of Kawasaki's "forgotten" models, add some determination, a bunch of custom parts, an eye for detail and a dash of style and you've got Lee Moore's slick KZ 750-based cafe racer. It was a project that took some time to get rolling, and turning this ugly duckling into a swan certainly had its moments, as Lee explains.

After making an impression on its local debut in late 2010, the latest version of the LAMS approved Daelim VJF 250 is set to turn heads again when the 2012 model of the Korean-made sports road bike is revealed. The VJF 250 will join the retro-styled 'Besbi' scooter in being officially unveiled at the 2011 Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show, at the Darling Harbour Convention & Exhibition Centre this weekend.

With victory in the 2011 Monster Energy Super X championship, Jay Marmont and the CDR Rockstar Yamaha team capped off a remarkable year that included the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals title. Marmont's Super X championship win was also the first for an Australian-based racer in the Open class since the inception of the series in 2008.

In warm, dry conditions at North Ipswich stadium in Queensland, the final round of the 2011 Monster Energy Super X Australian Supercross Championship saw three champions crowned. There was non-stop action across all classes, but the battle for the Open championship was the one to watch. In the Lites, JDR Motorex KTM's Matt Moss wrapped up his third Super X Lites title in convincing fashion, while Raceline Pirelli Suzuki's Errol Willis did enough to win the Under 19s title, despite not winning the final at Ipswich.

Emerging from the mess of AMF ownership and following on from the progressive, but unfortunately unsuccessful XLCR, the XR1000 was Harley-Davidson's next effort at creating a performance special.

The 2011 Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy saw motorcycles from the 1960s do battle on the Goodwood Motor Circuit at the annual September Goodwood Revival in the UK.

The battle is on - the grand finale of the 2011 Monster Energy Super X Championship will take place this weekend in Ipswich, Queensland, and Yamaha Australia's factory supported riders and teams are gearing up for some hot action.

Stretching back 108 years and encompassing 82 world championship titles, the Husqvarna Motorcycles brand has achieved rare longevity in a fickle market. We survey its past and look ahead to the future as Husqvarna pioneers off-road ABS.

Shannons' upcoming Melbourne auction features a slew of rare motorcycles - including four with no reserve and five classic Harleys - as well as several low-digit black and white number plates.

The 'Spartan' is an all-new, limited-production, Australian-made sportscar, powered by a Ducati V-twin engine, that is set to make its public debut at the Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show from November 25-27.

Bonhams' recent "Classic California" auction event, held at the Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles, had a major touch of "Hollywood" about it, with cars from the movies amongst the consignments. Celebrity-owned cars were also part of the November 12 event, including a Cadillac originally owned by Elvis, and a Mercedes owned by Madonna.

Casey Stoner's recent victory at Aragon marked the 100th for the Repsol Honda Team since the partnership was formed in 1995 allowing the Respol Honda Team to confirm it is the most successful team of the Motorcycling World Championship modern era.

After dominating the 2011 championship season from the opening round, Procon Maxima BMW's Glenn Allerton fought through a tough round at Symmons Plains to wrap up the Australian Superbike title with one round remaining.

On November 11, South Australia's Motorcycle Accident Commission (MAC) launched the next phase of its motorcycle safety campaign, using Mighty Mick Doohan as the ambassador and face of the campaign.

The penultimate round of the 2011 Monster Energy Super X, Australian Supercross Championship, saw Raceline Pirelli Suzuki's Lawson Bopping claim his first ever Super X round win, but consistency from CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha's Jay Marmont means he leads the Pro Open field heading into the final round. In the Lites class, another round win from JDR Motorex KTM's Matt Moss saw him extend his championship lead to an almost unassailable 22 points heading into the season finale.

Lining up next to the Brutale 920, the entry-level motorcycle in the MV Agusta four-cylinder family is the new Brutale R 1090.

Daelim are just about to release the 'Besbi' scooter locally. With its retro styling, 125cc engine and CVT transmission, Daelim expect this cute 'scoot to be a top seller.

JUST Bikes is excited to announce the JUST Bikes Build Off 2011 at the Sydney Motorcycle Expo, held on November 22-26.

BMW has revealed two new premium maxi scooters, the BMW C 600 Sport and the BMW C 650 GT. Developed in response to increased demand for single-track urban mobility, the outstanding new scooters promise agility, comfort and a dynamic riding experience.

Ducati and Mercedes AMG unveiled an AMG Special Edition Ducati Diavel at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show. The 2012 flagship model of the Diavel family is an awesome performance package, true to the AMG luxury-sport brand and is intended for buyers seeking a combination of technology, engineering detail and exclusive style.

Following the conclusion of the Valencia MotoGP round, the champions, rookies, team owners and managers across all categories gathered for the annual end-of-season awards ceremony.

The final round of the 2011 MotoGP championship, held at Spain's Valencia circuit, was special for a number of reasons. Firstly, the final round of the 2011 championship marked the end of the 800cc era, with all teams switching to 1,000cc machines for 2012. Secondly, the final race saw a special tribute to Marco Simoncelli, the popular Italian rider who died at the preceding race at Malaysia.

After a disappointing start to the 2011 Monster Energy Super X series, CDR Rockstar Yamaha's Jay Marmont turned it all around to win the third round, held at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday, November 5. The Open class victory was the second celebration of the week for Marmont, following the birth of his first son Jax, two days earlier. In the Lites class, JDR Motorex KTM's Brenden Harrison broke through for a win ahead of American guest rider, Gavin Faith.

Valencia's season finale also marked the last ever 125cc world championship race, with the category being replaced by 'Moto3' in 2012. Ahead of the race, the championship battle was down to two riders - Nicolas Terol (Bankia Aspar) and Johann Zarco (Avant-Air Asia-Ajo). Terol held a 20 point lead over Zarco ahead of the Valencia round, so a win from Frenchman Zarco and DNF or close to a non-points result from Terol would be required to overturn the championship table.