News

The ness series\n\nFor Victory styling consultants and master custom builders, Arlen & Cory Ness, the creativity well never runs dry. They have\nonce again created limited edition Victory models that combine stunning, Ness-exclusive styling with the performance of the Victory Vegas Jackpot.

Vegas - The bike that established Victory's progressive course of American cruiser styling rolls into 2008 with a smooth and powerful new engine and new, improved braking. The 2008 Vegas also features integrated new styling with new handlebar controls, levers and handgrips.

VISION STREET - The Victory Vision Street is a motorcycle that takes luxury touring to a new level. Over six years of development has produced the most complete motorcycle in its class, offering comfort, convenience, great power, a smooth ride, easy handling & innovative new styling unlike anything on the road.

Yamaha has introduced its first 2008 model sports ATV, as the top-of-the-range YFM700R Raptor debuts in Standard & Special Edition guises.

BMW Motorrad reveals the most powerful and fastest BMW production bike at Intermot. This year's Intermot in Cologne marks a significant occasion for BMW Motorrad and the K-Series. Not only does it mark the 25th birthday of the K Series, it also celebrates the debut of the latest additions to the BMW K Series range, the new K 1300 S, K 1300 R and K 1300 GT.

Further to announcing the signing of our own Troy Corser to ride the all new BMW S 1000 RR in next year's Superbike World Championship 2009 along side Spaniard Ruben Xaus, BMW Motorrad has officially previewed the S 1000 RR in racing trim. The BMW S 1000 RR is a completely new motorcycle with a 1000 cc inline four cylinder engine that promises to offer superior performance, technology and - hopefully - race wins!

Among the more interesting creations at Cologne's recent Intermot show was the Brudeli 645L Leanster

Part 1 concluded with Craig discussing the 'CDR Performance' range of upgrade parts to suit Yamaha YZ's. Part 2 picks up from this to discuss how such innovations come about.

Fresh from a dominant victory in the opening round of the Australian 'Super X' series he helped to create, and an impressive performance at the recent U.S. Open Supercross in Las Vegas, Chad Reed took time out of his busy schedule to chat to JUST BIKES about his racing past, his racing future, his heroes, high points . . . and Mars bars?! Read on and find out more!

The arrival of the new 1100 and 1100 S now increases the size of the Monster family. The 'less-is-more' philosophy behind all Monsters underlines Ducati's pursuit of genuinely compact, high performance motorcycles, but these new models have succeeded in being even more 'pared down' than their predecessors. The Monster 1100 weighs 169kg (168kg for the S version), making it by far the lightest bike in its category.

AWESOME!!! - that was the verdict of a lot of the punters at this year's Gold Coast Bike Week. The 10th anniversary of this great event was held at Australia's playground, the beautiful Gold Coast this past August. What began 10 years ago as a few friends helping Dave "Maverick" Leden organize a bike show, some field events and scenic rides has grown into Australia's largest motorcycle rally, incorporating rides, show n shines and a major trade show. In fact, only the MotoGP at Phillip Island draws more Aussie motorcyclists and bike enthusiasts than Gold Coast Bike Week.

Honda chose Intermot Cologne for the World Premiere of their V4 Concept Model. The V4 Concept - which was more a design study than a preview of any upcoming model (note the lack of actual wheels and tyres!) - proposes a new design direction based on Honda's trademark 4-cylinder V- engine.

This year Polaris announced its revolutionary new sports range, including the race ready, straight axled Outlaw MXR 450, the Outlaw 525 S (straight axle) and the return of the Outlaw 525 IRS. Now trail riders, MX junkies and dune blasters alike have the opportunity to save up to $4,000 on the high performance Outlaw models, all three of which come packing serious heat, with the championship proven pedigree of a KTM engine making them the fastest accelerating, most dialled-in line of sports quads ever.

Hardest working, smoothest riding times SIX!!! Polaris has come up with the all-new, six-seater Ranger Crew for 2008. Common sense would suggest that to increase the seating capacity of the Ranger to six, other capabilities - such as towing and carrying capacities - would need to be compromised.

The world's best selling automatic ATV is the Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. In 1996, Polaris created an ATV that took the industry by storm and set the benchmark for innovation and technology in the field.

Suzuki has added two new models to its best selling sports touring range, welcoming a new naked, big bore Bandit 1250 to Australia. The new Bandit 1250 and ABS-equipped Bandit 1250A return to the roots of the Suzuki Bandit, originally a naked motorcycle when introduced in 1996.

Cars were not the only stars at Sydney Motor Show - A handful of two and three wheeled machines stole some of the attention from the cars at October's Australian International Motor Show at Darling Harbour. The Sydney Motorcycle Show stand featured a host of highly desirable moto models, giving a small but tantalising insight into the lineup of motorcycles, scooters and ATVs that will be on show when the event comes to town from November 21-23.

Ben Grabham claims back-to-back Australian Safaries - Honda dominated the Australian Safari taking five of the top eight outright positions. After an epic journey of over 4000 kilometres, Bathurst's Ben Grabham riding a Honda CRF 450X won his second consecutive Australian Safari, followed by Rod Faggotter riding a Yamaha WR 450 F, and Damian Grabham and Warren Strange both on Honda CRF 450Xs.

This month K&M Motorcycles have a rare 1978 Harley XLCR Cafe Racer, which will be of particular interest to collectors, or those that just love something a little different. Willie G Davidson, grandson of the founder William A, set out in 1971 to produce a factory custom, in response to the many Harley owners that were modifying their own machines.

After enjoying spectacular success with Yamaha on the world Supercross circuit World Champion Chad Reed has dumped Yamaha to ride with Suzuki Team Rockstar Makita next year. The parting is amicable, with Yamaha Motor Australia extending its gratitude and best wishes to the AMA/World Supercross Champion as he embarks on the next step of his career.

Staying safe on two wheels shouldn't stop when you do. When pulled up at an intersection, do you continue to check your mirrors and assume a riding position that will enable you to get out a potential hazard quickly? This month, Dave Gibson from Stay Upright covers the techniques required to ensure you're 'ready' for anything.

The latest addition to Suzuki's farm ATV range is the King-Quad 750. Equipped with a new 722cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine, it provides farmers with more power for hauling big loads, with strong low-to-mid range torque throughout its power curve.

Suzuki's latest Bandit 1250S offers advanced technology and heavyweight power. The 2008 model Bandit 1250S features a 1255cc, DOHC liquid-cooled powerplant, offering smooth acceleration and relaxed highway cruising.

Following in the footsteps of the Boulevard M109R muscle cruiser, Suzuki has released the new Boulevard C109R. The new Boulevard C109R combines a potent V-Twin engine with massive torque, stylish cruiser looks and sensational rider comfort.